skip to main content

Silver Maple... sick or not?

17 years ago

I origanally posted this on the Maple forum, but have yet to receive a response, so I decided to post it here as well.

We purchased our house in 2003. There is a large silver maple in our backyard. I'm not sure if there is a problem or I am being paranoid. It has only started leafing out. I noticed last year it was a bit delayed, but not like this year. It's covered with "helicopters" and very small leaves and all the others in neighboring yards have filled out fully already. Is there something wrong with my tree or is it just a "late bloomer"? We have very clay soil here and I do my best to keep the ground watered, not only for the trees sake, but for our lawn. Could there be a water issue? Too much, too little. Based on how quickly the ground dries out under the tree I find it hard to imagine it could be too much water, but I know absolutely nothing about trees.

Any and all help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

ginkgonut
17 years ago
I am sitting here on my porch looking over at my neighbors gigantic silver maple. The leaves on it have not fully expanded yet. We have had a stretch of cool weather lately. So I would say if you have been watering it, especially if it has not been raining, it should be fine. Silver maples are usually grown by seed so there are genetic differences between all the trees you see. If the leaves don't fully expand for the summer then there might be a problem.
myersphcf
17 years ago
I would agree with Gink..was gonna post a couple days ago but gink said what i would have ...there are alot of differnces in alot of trees in their spring leafing and fall deleafing the silver maple included....In addition you can't hardly kill a silver maple with anything and if it is sick it must be something VERY powerful especially on a large tree...UNLIKELY IMHO...probably just a late bloomer ;>)David
Related Discussions
Question do silver maple and sugar maples cross?
Q
Comments (7)
You know there are techniques available where a cell from Sugar Maple could be fused with a cell of Silver Maple. Assuming these cells would be viable, it would be interesting to see what would result. Potentially you could end up with a very fast growing tree that is also very tough. Have 4 or more complete sets of chromosomes often result in very vigorous plants. Many of our crop plants have 8 or even more sets of chromosomes. Then there is the potential of hybrid vigor. The issue would be getting someone to pay for the lab work, then tissue culture work with no certainties. And for those of you who get uncomfortable with the ideal of combining species, it happens every day. The freemanii Maple is a excellent example. Venus Dogwood is another, along with the Stellar series. Then there are all the crop plants...... Arktrees
...See More
Sick Silver Birch
Q
Comments (0)
Hi, My Silver Birch is looking very sick indeed. It is only a few years old, is above the roof top in height, but looks as though it is dying of thirst. The tree fern next to it looks just fine, and the soil is moist a few inches below the surface. It doesn't have a specific sprinkler on it but gets run off from the watering of other things upline. When it had first leafed this season the leaves looked as though they were eaten somewhat and some looked a little distorted. Could this be a disease of some sort? Any clues? Woori
...See More
Silver Buttonwood stress/sickness diagnosis please.
Q
Comments (4)
Josiah...so, evidently yours are in a bit of shade, not the best position for this plant. but...many plants that may indeed do their best in full sun will still perform adequately in a more shaded site. Just don't expect the same fullness, or flowering density, etc. Finally, if buds are present at the twig ends, your plants are likely OK. Interior foliage loss occurs in many plant species, either as a result of fall coming on here in the north-not sure about this down your way-or other factor. But generally, if there's life (healthy, well-formed buds) at the ends of the twigs, the plant is doing alright. +om
...See More
Sick Silver Torch (Cleistocactus strausii)
Q
Comments (4)
Hi, Thank you for the reply, to be honest it was repotted only once, and that was 6 years ago... :( I'm using a cactus mixture (it was bought already mixed) only thing added was some lava rocks, filled the bottom with those, some in the medium and more on top. For the last year the one's in the top where removed. From what I've been reading recently it should be repotted every year... but that was not the case. What should I do know? Any ideas are more than welcomed. Thank you!
...See More

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 12 Japanese Maples for a Sunny Garden

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

The right maple in the right place shines in hot summer sun

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

MATERIALS Woodipedia: Maple Is a Marvel Around the House

By Marci Crestani

A heavy hardwood with lots of potential, maple appeals to modern sensibilities and won't break your budget

METAL 10 Ways to Add a Silver Lining to Your Interiors

By Lara Sargent

Let your home shine this summer with a host of shimmery treasures

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Beautiful Wooden Pieces

Elm, Walnut, Maple and Other Woods Wow in These Home Finds

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Landscape Tour: Two Acres of Rural Hillside in Maine

By Becky Harris

An orchard of crab apples, a grove of sugar maples, even a hayfield ... pastoral landscape beauty doesn't get more idyllic than this

DECORATING GUIDES A Little Sparkle, a Little Shine

By Lily Gahagan

Bring Glow to Your Home with Silvers, Golds and the Shimmer of Pearl

SHOP HOUZZ Houzz Products: Create a Breezy White Bedroom

Cool down at the height of summer with snowy bedding and drapes, silver fans and accessories as fresh as the morning air

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Cozy Vermont Cabin Blanketed in Charm

By Joanne Palmisano Design

This carefully crafted, ecofriendly cabin in the woods makes coming in from the cold a truly memorable occasion

GUESTHOUSES Houzz Tour: This Guesthouse’s Former Residents Were Horses

By Becky Harris

A new insulated exterior for a Vermont carriage barn preserves its rustic interior

Sponsored

More Discussions

Usugumo HTF : Hard to Find

2

Acer First Flame

3

Nursery Container Mediums - Sand ?

0

Scion Height When Grafting

0