Our Sunset Maple tree top is budded but the lower part is not. The tree is 8 or 9 years old. What can I do to help this tree? Another Maple tree we planted the same time as this one is fine. We noticed last summer some of the lower branches/leaves were not healthy and some leaves looked dried out. We always water with soaker hoses in about a 5 foot radius around tree in summer when there is an extended dry period.
If the other Maple tree is a good distance away from this one, your Sunset Maple could be suffering from Verticillium Wilt.
These articles might help you narrow down exactly what's going on:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-leafing-problems.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/verticillium-wilt-treatment.htm
Good luck, and let us know if you have any more questions!
Should the graft be planted below or above ground? Thank you for your help.
Above the ground.
A newly planted tree should be planted at the same depth that it was in the pot.
Plant this tree at least 15 feet from any structure in well draining soil.
Here are some articles that have planting and care information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/watering-newly-planted-tree.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/how-and-when-to-plant-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/care-of-red-maple-trees.htm
I have a very old maple that last year had very small leaves. Was told due to previous severe winter the tree may not survive. This year the leaves are still very small. Is there hope it is surviving?
I'm only familiar with one disease in Maple Trees that would cause smaller leaves on the tree--a fungus called sapstreak disease.
If the tree had suffered wounds to the branches or roots it can become vulnerable to this fungus.
Moisture levels can also cause smaller leaves on the tree, either too much or too little.
General decline in a tree can be caused by drought, flooding, too much fertilizer, pesticides, root damage, or pests.
An inspection by a qualified Arborist may give you a more specific diagnosis.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/care-of-red-maple-trees.htm
https://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6866
The acer is about 10-12 feet tall. This year it appears to be almost dead with no growth above a couple of new shoots sprouting from the base (see attached photo) - all the main branches above two feet from the ground seem pretty desiccated. Is there anything I can do to save it? Many thanks Adam
It sounds as if the tree itself has died and that your tree is growing from the root stock.
I would prune the suckers from the tree.
Do the branches snap and break on the tree?
You can scratch the bark of the tree, if you see green underneath, the tree is still alive.
Trees can die for many reasons, weather, pests, disease, water issues and for reasons that can't be identified.
Here are some links with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-scratch-test.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/what-does-a-dying-tree-look-like-signs-that-a-tree-is-dying.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/care-of-red-maple-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/maple-tree-types.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/japanese-maple/japanese-maple-care.htm
My ACER palmatum, which is about 25 yrs old, was potted until 5 yrs ago but is now in the ground and has been perfectly healthy until now. It looks about 75% dead. There are two beautiful branches and the rest look like sticks with an occasional very slim red growth but no leaves. Can you suggest a reason for this rapid decline and if it is possible to encourage it to regrow or is it a case of accepting the inevitable and starting again? M Lence
There are a few reasons for the branch die-back. It could simply be winter injury or maybe a fungal disease, such as verticillium wilt. Here are a few links on verticillium wilt that will aid you in diagnosing your tree:
https://bit.ly/1HoK0tQ
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=255
In the meantime you should prune away the dead branches. You can verify the branches are dead by cutting a small sliver of bark from each branch in question - if it's tinged green it's alive and has hope of recovery, if it's tan it's dead and should be removed.
For information on a host of other japanese maple pests and diseases, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/japanese-maple/japanese-maple-problems.htm
I just planted a new maple tree 3 weeks ago and the leaves are all droopy, every single one of them. Is this normal for a new tree?
The image looks to be quite normal leave structure appearance, but if the tree is droopy, it may be thirsty. Make sure the entire root system is receiving the water by deep watering over a longer period of time.
Make sure the soil is moist but never soggy on new plantings.
Keep the mulch away from the base of the trunk, this can lead to diseases.
Here are some links with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/watering-newly-planted-tree.htm
I have a large maple tree that beavers have eaten all around. Is there anything I can do to save it?
It is possible that the tree could survive a girdling.
This appears very severe to me, but I would certainly allow the tree some time to heal and wait and see.
Here is a link with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/how-to-fix-girdled-trees.htm