I planted two Red Maples two years ago. This spring one did not grow any leaves and the other only has leaves on the bottom half of the limbs. Can I save these trees or is it too late?

Reply to post by Chad, on June 27, 2002 at 01:45:30:

As with many of the questions here, the best advice is to seek help from a knowledgeable local arborist.

The problem may well have to do with the planting of the trees. Planting too deep, or leaving soil or mulch piled too high on the trunk, are some of the most common causes of poor performance in young trees. First dig around the bases of the trees with a garden trowel. Remove soil and mulch at the base, and dig down until you find the tops of the first main roots- not the thin absorbing roots, but the large ones emerging from the trunk. This should be exposed, and represents the actual top of the root ball. It may have been partly buried at the nursery. If you find twine and burlap, dig out a ways and remove as much as possible.

Re mulch around the tree- the large the area the better. But DO NOT put any mulch against the trunk or over the recently exposed roots.

The American Society of Consulting Arborists can recommend highly qualified arborists and consultants in your area. Their web site and database is at

http://www.asca-consultants.org

or contact the main office at

American Society of Consulting Arborists
15245 Shady Grove Road
Suite 130
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 947-0483

The International Society of Arboriculture maintains a current list of ISA Certified Arborists. The searchable list can be accessed at the ISA Web site, at:
http://www.isa-arbor.com

Good luck. I hope you can save the trees.

Reply to post by Russ Carlson, on June 27, 2002 at 01:45:30:

If those main roots Russ is describing were buried in the container when you bought them, or if the roots were circling around inside the container, the plants was defective.

Like any defective product it should be returned, or the manufacturer (the nursery) will continue to make the same mistakes. See the ISA website www.isa-arbor.com for Consumer Information info on Buying High-Quality Trees. It is free to download, and copies should be given to the place that sold them to you.