My friend's lawn service did the same thing. She brought the damage to the lawn guy's attention, She notified him of the cost to replace the damaged ones with the same sized potted trees. She gave him the choice of paying that bill, or agreeing for her to deduct it from the bill she still owed him for his services. He took the latter, she now has her new trees installed; 8 months later, no more reminder of the problem. She did fire that lawn service, and now has a very good service, which is better than most people would usually ever expect. Her damaged trees were nearly all her pines trees on one side of her property, and Plicata Thuja 'Green Giants' on the other side of her property's screen plantings. The damage impact, if she had not replaced them, would have been signifiant. With your maple tree, if it was planted less than 5 years ago, it most likely will dig up pretty easily. Use a garden fork to loosen the rootball; to cut any larger roots or break through any hard soil you encounter, use the wide edge of a pitchfork in your efforts. That is; if you are going to be the one removing the damaged tree and planting the new one. With your new tree it is a good idea to keep the grass away from under the canopy and from over the rootball area. If your grass is bermuda grass, you will need to use a systemic grass killer that does not also harm your trees and shrubs and, which also does not stay effective when it contacts the soil, and which is drawn down to the grass roots through their leaf blades.

The first thing trees do when stressed is to loose leaves. They dry and fall off. There is a chance that it is still alive. Scratch the bark with your finger nail, if you see a green under the bark, there is hope. Forget the fertilizer, water well then allow to dry, watch everyday. Stick your finger in soil, when it is dry water. It looks like it was planted in a pot that was too small. It should have been transplanted long ago. The small pot easily dried out esp. if it was hot for a long time. I will also say that if it does live, to go to the container forum and read about making some potting soil that will last a long time. The stuff in the bags at the garden centers is ok for a shirt time, but will not do well over a long period of time. At some point if you do fertilize do not give it the does recommended on the bag, make a weak version and use it regularly. Use 1/4 strength, - on regular basis. Wait until you see new growth before you fertilize. LOL - Mike

I'll look a little later. We had a chicken from across the street, who made herself at home here. We called her "miss pretty" and she took to hopping up a 40 foot ladder with scaffolding to get to roof to get to the maple tree where she would roost at night outside our window. When the roof job was finished, she began to roost on the rose arbor out back. We went on vacation, and she got killed and eaten by some critter. WE were all so sad. I never wanted to eat her, but I sure have dreamed about keeping chickens ever since then. I apolgize for the hijack, but needed to reminise a bit.

Ronnie, I'm so sorry for your loss and what you and your family are going through. It sounds like maybe your husband is dealing with his grief but not with his anger. I can certainly understand how angry you must all be about this senseless tragedy and I would think it would be normal. Maybe it's just that he doesn't know how to deal with the anger. And men always want to fix things and I guess he knows he can't fix this and is frustrated? Maybe right now - as hard as it will be - you need to just give it time and let him lash out. Just know that the anger that seems to be directed at you is not about you. He may even be mad at himself, thinking if he had done this or that it wouldn't have happened. I guess you've already tried to tell him that it is hurtful to you for him to close you out or be hateful to you. That may frustrate him more but I think it might stick in his mind and as the days go by perhaps he will see that you keep being there for him even though he may behave ugly toward you. I know it isn't easy to take because you love him and want to help him the way he once helped you. It sounds like this is doubling your personal grief because you've lost your nephew and you've temporarily lost your husband. Good luck and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.