The bark seemed to have cracked first, now separating and falling off. The leaves have started to turn red and fall off. Is there a way to save it? Will whatever is wrong spread to other trees?
Silver Maples have a natural tendency to fall off. I see that this is a Red Maple, or Hybrid. This means that peeling bark may be fine for this species, but it can signify some environmental stress or disease. These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/maple-tree-bark-disease.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/peeling-bark-on-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
This is the maple tree in front of our house we just moved in. I love maple trees and the foliage is beautiful; unfortunately the tree has a really odd shape. The main trunk is only about a feet tall and the branches are super long hand thin before you get the foliage. This is ugly but I hate to cut a tree. What should I do?
You can prune it. Here are tips:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/japanese-maple/japanese-maple-care-pruning.htm
the wall and the sidewalk with its roots?? May you tell me what kind of maples grow up to 10 meters, and the roots don't damage the wall and the sidewalk?
There will be no good recommendation here. Maples have notoriously damaging root systems. If you still choose to do so, you will want one that is deeply rooted and doesn't have large shallow roots.
Some have good results with Acer campestre, but keep in mind that this tree is HIGHLY invasive.
In short, I would recommend anything over a Maple for planting in proximity to any structure. This article will offer some information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/planting-trees-along-sidewalks.htm
By looking at the picture could you give any estimate range of age? The house was built in 1871. Thank you, Julie
They can live 300 to 400 years according to article below.
https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/programs/environmental/courses/es203/acer_saccharum.php
There are some calculations you can do to get an estimate of age:
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/TreeAge_401065_7.pdf
Are these sugar maples or Norway maples?
I would say a sugar maple. You can tell for sure by the color of the sap, when you pull off a leaf. The sugar maple sap is clear, while the Norway maple sap is milky.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/planting-sugar-maple-trees.htm
The bed is in a south facing garden but overshadowed by neighbour’s ash and sycamore trees. Can you recommend acers that would do well in this situation?
Planting, really, depends on where you are located. Usually, late Spring after the threat of freezing temperatures. Even better will be to wait until the temperatures rise into the 50's. This will help with faster transplant.
There is, still, the issue of making the bed suitable for a Maple. Likely, you will have to test the soil, and bring the pH up. You may not have to add nutrients, but a soil test will confirm.
There are many trees in the genus, Acer, that will do well in shade. The Silver Maple, or Acer saccharinum will tolerate shade very well. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/growing-silver-maple-trees.htm
The Norway Maple or Acer platanoides can be a good shade option as well. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/growing-norway-maple-trees.htm
Another shade Acer is the Korean Maple, or Acer pseudosieboldianum. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/growing-korean-maple-trees.htm
Shantung maple trees (Acer truncatum) will be one more option that you can choose. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/growing-shantung-maples.htm
The most obvious will be the Japanese Maple, as they are shade tolerant. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/japanese-maple/japanese-maple-care.htm
Finally, if you are willing to look outside of the genus, Acer- There are many options for shade trees available. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/trees-for-shady-areas.htm
Thank you for this very comprehensive answer!
Why are my maple trees losing their leaves in Aug.- Sept. before any frost and not turning colors? They were always a fantastic display of color, but the last 3-5 years nothing but falling dry leaves. Is there anything that I can do to correct this or are they doomed? They look beautiful all summer but a do notice some spots on many leaves that fall during strong storms.
It probably is a leaf spot infection. When the leaves fall and they are left on the ground, the disease can easily be spread the next year. To help alleviate this, clean up and destroy any leaves that fall.
Contact your local extension agent and see if they can identify the exact disease and whether chemical control is needed.