skip to main content

Can these trees be saved?

5 years ago

There are four maple trees planted at my kids' elementary school that are dying. I have been trying to water them to keep them from dying, but I wonder if I'm fighting a losing battle. I doubt the district would pay an arborist to come out, so I am asking here for advice. The trees were planted several years ago and never tended to after that. Will watering help or are they too far gone? Anything else I can do?

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

5 years ago

It may not be a watering issue but rather improper planting at the start. Too deep, no removal of any wraps, congested or circling roots.....any or all of these can have a long term deleterious effect on the trees. Impossible to say for sure without more research or clearer photos but at a glance, the tree above appears to be a bit too deep.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
the root flare needs to be at the surface ... without the application of a mulch volcano ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=root+flare&t=ffcm&iax=images&ia=images

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=mulch+volcano&t=ffcm&iax=images&ia=images

tree trunks are not made.. to be buried .. basically.. they need to be dry.. not constantly moist by deep planting or the mulch ...

so the first thing that needs to be done.. is to gently pull back the mulch.. and find out where the root flare is ... perhaps take some pix.. and bring them back here.. for more advice ...

dead parts are dead.. and should be removed ... a tree saw and good ladder.. and a helper to hold the ladder ... should take care of the dead stuff ... once the dead parts are removed.. you should be pleasantly surprised how much better they look ....

most likely they are severely stressed ... fert is not a response to such ...

ken
Related Discussions
Can this tree be saved
Q
Comments (29)
Since my greatest Meyer lemon tree I neglected but did so great for 10 yrs. it died 3 yrs ago, I guess I moved to many times & neglected it for the last time & died. I waited a few yrs. b4 trying another myer & now I have a 3-4 yr. old /2ft. Tall in 3 mo. But it's not like my 1st. If I treated this myer like my last it would be dead by now.ive tried everything but it won't grow a thing! Not a leaf bud or a 1/8" of wood ? Please someone help my baby Meyer? They pruned it b4 sending to me in Dec. & it looks bad but few leaves look good but that's all I've got in these few mo. All I've tried ppl. Say to try. It's fr. Ediblefruit & they pruned the crap out of it ! I need growth of some kind. Help?2-10-2016 got 12-8-2015 help?
...See More
Can my tree be saved?
Q
Comments (3)
Post this in the Maples Forum. It is more active. It doesn't look good. tj
...See More
Can this Tree be Saved?
Q
Comments (5)
I'm not sure it is in danger. It looks green. If that is the root ball, it's not planted too deep. Couldn't you just sweep away the excess mulch, trim off any metal or burlap around the root ball water it, deal with any girdling roots, (There are advantages to having the rootball out of the ground!) then build a raised bed/berm with a gradual slope around it?
...See More
Can this tree be saved
Q
Comments (6)
when i see those vertical lines of whatever.. along the edge of the trunk ... id bet my shiny penny .. that the wound will open up to that extent ... in the next year or two ... just under the bark.. is the cambium layer .... the vascular system of the tree ... water up.. food down to be stored in the roots ... the cambium is lost in that entire wound .... so its going to have a hard time keeping the top alive ... and probably has for the last few years.. hence your noted limb loss ... if you are going to plant something ... better get it done soon ... or wait until fall planting time .. im not quite sure of timing for your area ... never plant in the heat of summer ... but if you find a tree you like.. if the timing is wrong.. you can 'hold it over' until the next proper planting time ... ken https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
...See More
Jodi R.
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you for the comments! I will be back at the school tomorrow.with a shovel and I will take and post a picture of what I find.
mntreegrower
5 years ago
What state are you in, Jodi? How much rain/snow did you receive since last fall and throughout the winter months? When I have seen this happen to young maples it usually resulted from lack of moisture during the fall and winter months. Or possibly a lack of snow cover that led to root damage during extreme cold stretches. (Of course, I am also in Minnesota so...) Some cultivars aren't quite as hardy as they claim to be as well.

It appears there is new growth on the tips of the branches. Likely the damage has already been done and the trees are recovering. As has already been said, prune out the dead and check the root flare just to be safe. Be careful to not over-water now though.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
i said to gently pull back the mulch.. and you said youre taking a shovel .... how about a 3 prong hand rake or something ... a tool you have a little more control with ... our perhaps you meant a hand trowel ...

go all archeologist on the dig.. not tim taylor..... more power ...

just dont scar up the trunk and do more damage than good ...

ken

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41643Bi2OlL.jpg

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=hand+trowel&t=ffcm&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images
Jodi R.
Original Author
5 years ago
I am in SE Michigan. I think we have had adequate snow and rain. I don't recall going through any kind of drought.

I do know the trees were planted and never manually watered after planting day. I am wondering if they were planted with such a high mound of dirt and mulch that it is hard for water to reach the roots. I am going to go and evaluate it tomorrow. I will post pics.
Jodi R.
Original Author
5 years ago
I would say the height of the dirt and mulch around the tree is 8- 12".

Is the best way to proceed to remove all the excess dirt around the trees and prune the dead branches?
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Here's a video where it shows fixing a tree like this (from about the middle on).

Proper mulch around a tree, this old house.

You can do it carefully by hand also.
Embothrium
5 years ago
Yes: I would stop dinging the trunks with the shovel!
User
5 years ago
And go give that contractor or nursery an ear full about planting trees.
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
5 years ago
definitely too deep!

Related Stories

HOLIDAYS 10 Ways Your Christmas Tree Can Live On After the Holidays

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Learn how to recycle your Christmas tree and reap benefits for the environment

LIFE You Said It: ‘You Can Help Save the Bees’ and More Houzz Quotables

By Becky Harris

Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week

GARDENING GUIDES Tree Care: Common Tree Diseases and What to Do About Them

By Falon Mihalic

Learn to recognize trees that may be affected by diseases or pests so you can quickly take action

PETS 5 Finishes Pets and Kids Can’t Destroy — and 5 to Avoid

By Christine Tusher

Save your sanity and your decorating budget by choosing materials and surfaces that can stand up to abuse

SAVING WATER 11 Ways to Save Water at Home

By Carol Crotta

Whether you live in a drought-stricken area or just want to help preserve a precious resource, here are things you can do to use less water

DECORATING GUIDES Look-Alikes That Save Money Without Skimping on Style

By Affecting Spaces Design Studio

Whether in woodwork, flooring, wall treatments or tile, you can get a luxe effect while spending less

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Outdoor Design: Save that Tree!

Have Your Deck and Big Tree, Too — Build Around it for an Exceptional Living Space

HOUSEPLANTS See How Fiddleleaf Fig Trees Can Liven Up Your Decor

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

The tropical houseplant with big green leaves adds a cheerful and striking design element to rooms

CHRISTMAS Real vs. Fake: How to Choose the Right Christmas Tree

Pitting flexibility and ease against cost and the environment can leave anyone flummoxed. This Christmas tree breakdown can help

GREEN BUILDING Water Sense for Big Savings

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Keep dollars in your pocket and preserve a precious resource with these easy DIY strategies

Sponsored

Columbus Premier Design-Build and General Contractor

More Discussions

Is it possible to supplement a plant with glucose?

16

Dappled willow tree damaged by deer

3

Japanese Maple for sun/shady deck

2

Paw paw seedlings or cuttings

6

Pruning of young Chinkapin Oak

0