Hello all,
I live in zone 6B and my neighbors had this tree until this morning. I noticed it was turning yellow and brown over the past week or so. They wanted to get rid of it so I dug it up and replanted it in my yard, assuming it was yellow and brown because it was either planted incorrectly when the homes were built 2-3 years ago, or due to negligence and it being hot and dry recently. It looked green and healthy until a couple weeks ago.
Well, after planting it, I noticed it had lost probably 60% of its bark at the base (maybe from weed eating?)…
So I believe that may be the reason it is struggling so much.
When I replanted, I made a hole probably 50% larger than the roots, mixed in top soil with the existing dirt and some potting mix as well as some slow release “plant food”.
Then I planted the tree in that.
I am now reading that the fertilizer wasn’t a good idea… thoughts?
Is there anything I can do to improve its chance of surviving?
I plan on watering daily.
by HBTD-WPS
11 Comments
Unfortunately, due to the damage on the trunk and the dieback at the top, it’d be hard to keep it surviving.
It’s always best to remove sod/grass around the tree and replace with mulch ever so often, so you don’t end up causing mechanical damage.
Also, transplanting causes a great amount of shock and stress for the tree, especially for a tree that size. It has to be done near perfect to ensure a tree’s survivability.
Put a tree guard on it next time, to prevent weed whipper damage to the tree
Looks like string trimmer damage. Sorry, its done for.
Give it a Memorial Service and let it go. RIP
Remove it and plant a new one correctly
Next tree, add mulch with a tree ring. Mulch NO deeper than 3 inches. This arrangement will help protect that trunk.
As top string trimming the bark
Personally I would try some pruning as well. Cut back about 1/3 of the dried branches.
Even if you _could_ get this tree to survive, which I and many here think is unlikely, it is severely wounded at a point on the trunk that receives the most possible physical stress during wind and uneven weight loading. Even a tiny bit of decay at the base of the trunk, which is likely with this much wood exposed, could lead to problems in the future like it hollowing out over time or breaking suddenly.
Plus, this is a red maple. I like them, but they grow like weeds in much of the eastern US. Unless it’s some really special cultivar they’re a dime a dozen. Do yourself a favor and plant a new one. In just a few years you’ll have a tree this size without all the damage and uncertainty.
If you need a red maple just come over, I’ve got thousands of seedlings to choose from 😉
Have you ever heard of [bridge grafting?](https://extension.wvu.edu/agriculture/horticulture/bridge-grafting)
This tree is probably a gonner, but that just means you have nothing to loose if it fails, could be a fun experiment and learning experience.
Trees are resilient, give it 2-3 feet of space. Much it, give it somw slow feed fertilizer, keep it water and sew how it does.