It was suggested "Exact diagnosis can be made by taking a sample to your local extension office but if it is Phytophthora (or another root invading fungus), there is little you can do now." If such a sample is brought to the Extension Service office, please call ahead so that the Master Gardeners have time to locate information as to how to sample the soil & the affected root tips. Also know that a fee is charged, the precise amount depending upon the test to be done -- fees for the OSU Plant Disease Clinic begin at $40.00. Beyond that, I doubt this will be an easy diagnosis. I'd consider multiple factors potentially contributing to the problem: 1. Because OP said s/he "paid quite a bit of money" I suspect it is a sizable specimen. If so, post-plant irrigation is a critical factor in survival. All transplants should go into evenly moist soil, then the rootball should be supplied with more water than the surrounding area during the following months. Failures of recent transplants typically are due to water -- either too much or too little. 2. The sudden very cold weather in December, without snow cover, damaged & even killed many plants hereabouts, including those which survived 10 years or more. 3. The tree is a recent transplant. As such it is more likely to be damaged by cold than an established tree of the same kind. 4. Dormant roots are less susceptible to water damage than are actively growing roots. 5. In general -- and yes, exceptions exist -- root rot results in entire tree failure. 6. It's nigh to impossible to diagnose root rot by looking at dead branches and/or browning leaves. 7. And perhaps most critical, multiple nearby specimen maples are in potential jeopardy if the problem is indeed soil-borne, such as Phytophthora root rot or verticillium wilt. So, I suggest pinkswine consider having a certified arborist or two come for an on-site evaluation. To locate a certified arborist, look in the Yellow Pages under the heading of Trees or something similar. Ads for companies with a certified aroborist will either have a statement or small rectangular logo stating such.

Hi Sharon, Thanks for the info, that's not too bad and about what I thought initially, however I saw some reports that said 12 x 10 and started to really wonder. I agree all the prairies are lovely and P.Peace is on my list for sure for next year after seeing those pics in the June Roses thread. Don't know if I'll be able to fit in the other 2 though, sigh.... so many roses I NEED and so little space. How is the repeat on your PD? Does the foliage stay decent looking through the later part of summer? thanks again Cathy

Hi Muffin, The "April Dawn" has been in the ground for about five years now. It's under an American holly tree somewhat and is about four and a half feet tall and about three feet wide, but still not fully "bushy". It had about thirty flowers last year, and there are maybe forty buds this year. It blooms here in late April into May, depending on the weather. The plant looks fine but the buds so far show no sign of swelling or color. It may just be late, or they may have been damaged. Read below about my "April Blush", which I hope is indicative of the potential for my "April Dawn" and "April Rose". I go check on the buds every day now, hoping to see some sign that they will open soon. My "April Blush" camellia has performed well for over 13 years. It's just a bit above the six-foot-high fence, and about five feet wide. Last year was by far it's best year as far as shear number of blooms, I'd say 150+ easily. It's bloom time here is April to May. This year, so far, the plant itself looks fine. It probably has a few more buds than it did last year, however, I don't see any color or signs of buds swelling yet, and that may indicate that the buds were killed by the cold. It remains to be seen. But overall, I am very pleased with this beautiful evergreen shrub.

Just wanted you all to know that I just ordered my vanity based on information from this thread. (So thanks, all!) I ordered natural walnut from the new frameless line. - the door style is Torin. The cabinet place had a sample so I was able to see exactly what it was going to look like. The vanity will be two attached cabinets - drawers on the left and doors on the right, no toekick, and I got a 4" x 4" tall leg which will be cut to make feet! Unfortunately I had to wait 6-8 weeks, but I am excited! I am thiinking it will look really sharp with Pure White Caesarstone!