Bigtooth "Mesa Glow" Maple -- protecting a gash AND - Ask Extension
We planted a bigtooth mesa glow maple in June 2025. I'm uploading a picture of a gash in the tree. I didn't see it at the nursery, and it was delivere...
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Bigtooth "Mesa Glow" Maple -- protecting a gash AND #922913
Asked December 16, 2025, 3:38 PM EST
We planted a bigtooth mesa glow maple in June 2025. I'm uploading a picture of a gash in the tree. I didn't see it at the nursery, and it was delivered that way...I was so excited to get a tree finally, I let it go. Would love some practical particulars for protecting it from seasonal weather, bugs, etc. Also, anything I can do for high winds that could help. Thx much!
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Yikes. That is a serious wound. One possibility is to contact the nursery and see if you have a warrantee for replacement. Some nursery's offer a one season option, most don't.
It is very important that the tree had a good watering regiment after planting so the root system can establish itself. Water and nutrients are critical in the early years. In general, a root system will be established in 1 year for a 1" caliper trunk, 2 years for a 2" caliper trunk, etc. Can't really tell by the photo, looks like 2-3 inches.
We have a tree team that can makes house calls for trees (~$35) and they are best suited to advise. Unfortunately, they are only addressing issues with evergreens this time of year.
To protect from wind, newly planted trees of often staked. See below.
To protect trees from sunscald and frost cracking they are often wrapped during winter. This is recommended for newly planted trees. See below.
Watering during all seasons, especially with the roller-coaster drought conditions of Colorado, should be a consideration.
Planting Trees
https://csfs.colostate.edu/forests-trees/selecting-planting-and-caring-for-trees/how-to-plant-a-tree/
Care of recently planted trees
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/635.pdf
Caring for damaged trees
https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/Storm_Damage_Quick_Guide.pdf
Staking Trees
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/654.pdf
Wrapping Trees for Winter
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/wrapping-trees-for-winter/
One of the most important winter obligations to trees on the front range is watering during drought conditions.
The amount and frequency of water depends on multiple factors, and these are discussed in the following references.
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/fall-and-winter-watering-of-plants-and-trees/
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/trees-shrubs-vines/1706-fall-winter-watering/
https://adams.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/2021/06/Fall-and-Winter-Watering.pdf
It is very important that the tree had a good watering regiment after planting so the root system can establish itself. Water and nutrients are critical in the early years. In general, a root system will be established in 1 year for a 1" caliper trunk, 2 years for a 2" caliper trunk, etc. Can't really tell by the photo, looks like 2-3 inches.
We have a tree team that can makes house calls for trees (~$35) and they are best suited to advise. Unfortunately, they are only addressing issues with evergreens this time of year.
To protect from wind, newly planted trees of often staked. See below.
To protect trees from sunscald and frost cracking they are often wrapped during winter. This is recommended for newly planted trees. See below.
Watering during all seasons, especially with the roller-coaster drought conditions of Colorado, should be a consideration.
Planting Trees
https://csfs.colostate.edu/forests-trees/selecting-planting-and-caring-for-trees/how-to-plant-a-tree/
Care of recently planted trees
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/635.pdf
Caring for damaged trees
https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/Storm_Damage_Quick_Guide.pdf
Staking Trees
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/654.pdf
Wrapping Trees for Winter
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/wrapping-trees-for-winter/
One of the most important winter obligations to trees on the front range is watering during drought conditions.
The amount and frequency of water depends on multiple factors, and these are discussed in the following references.
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/fall-and-winter-watering-of-plants-and-trees/
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/trees-shrubs-vines/1706-fall-winter-watering/
https://adams.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/2021/06/Fall-and-Winter-Watering.pdf
