Why was the last tree so unhappy? Did it get enough rain, sun, space, good soil? If it died because one of the conditions was wrong, you will have the same problem. If it was diseased, I would not plant the same kind of tree there. If it was old age or someone hit it with the weed wacker you can plant another tree in the same spot.

15' is not that big, I would try taking it out myself, and only if it had a surprisingly large root system would I call someone. If you take it down and wait a year, the roots will have died and be much easier to remove than right now when the roots are probably still very much anchored in the spot.

Well, years ago it was a multi-trunked specimen (three trunks). DH removed all the landscape fabric from the bed that the previous owners put down (I *detest* that stuff!) and unfortunately ripped out a very large amount of surface roots along with the fabric. Next spring, two trunks were toast. It's survived all these years since then, but I noticed that the bark is missing from one side of the tree - perhaps lightening, perhaps animal damage, not really sure. The leaves do not look diseased at all - the remaining branches look perfectly normal and very healthy.

I could go with something like a Thundercloud plum just to be on the safe side. I really want a red-foliaged tree in this spot. The plum is not a small tree, but certainly isn't a huge one, either - I think it would fit fine (but a "Bloodgood" Jap. maple would be better)

Here's some pics, would appreciate any input on what may be going on. (pardon some the cr*ppy hostas in the background, I had my house sided in June and the some of the poor things got trampled)

Here you can see the main branch dying off, this is the second one this year (trimmed off the other one about a month ago):

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Close-ups of the trunk:

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Close-up of dead/dying branch:

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Just noticed another one that may be starting:

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You could post this over on the Tree Forum, I bet they could tell you. I'd be interested in the answer myself. Sorry for the loss of such a pretty tree.

I wouldn't put a tree in that spot.

i answered in the tree forum ...

but i will bet a buck there is a huge maple out near the street.. choking this poor thing... of light.. moisture.. food...

am i close???

ken

We had an arborist come to diagnose my japanese maple - it turned out to be Verticilium Wilt. Check out the splits in the trunk:

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This is what we found when cutting the dead branches off, see the dark rings?

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The arborist told me that the tree could survive for many more years like this and not to do any thing drastic. We cut off dead branches each year but there really weren't many this year and the tree is thriving.

However, he said that the disease can stay resident in the soil. If this is what you have, you may transfer it to the next tree that goes in there.

I know you think it would look empty without the tree but if you had a focal point - maybe a garden obelisk with a climbing vine like clematis? - I think it would look better than another tree.

I'm sorry about the loss of your tree!