Is my "red maple tree" dying?
Question:I just bought a red maple tree which the leaves were dark green with a purple/red highlights. When I got it home I repotted it with some new tree soil so it would have plant food for 9 months. The tree sits next to a wall so it only gets the morning sun. Half sun/half shade. Now the edge of the leafs are dying and shriveling up and I don't know why. I got it from Lowes so I know I can take it back since I only had it for 2 weeks. I think it has a disease.
Answers:
Bleak,
If you made the necessary adjustments to the soil and made the planting hole the proper size do not worry. What would concern me it what you mean by "New Tree" soil. There really is no such thing!!
The tree should be nowhere near a wall or building for that matter. Transplanted trees should have a slow release fertilizer in granular form, incorporated into the hole, along with appropriate nutrients and additives. There are ferts which are appropriate in pellets, however, they generally are two or more years in duration.
This tree needs full sun and a grass and weed free bed that extends a minimum of two foot from the dripline (outerleaves) of the tree. The width of the bed needs to be extended each year to accomodate the growth. In addition to whatever it is you were sold as "New Tree Soil" the hole should have been twice the diameter of the ball/container, and twice as deep. It should have had a mixture of Sphagnum Peat Moss, a bit of Granular Gypsum, the pellets/tablets, mixed in the bottom of the hole with the existing topsoil. The hole backfilled with this mixture to allow for the new tree to set level with the existing soil level and backfilled with the remaing soil removed from the site.
Once the backfill is placed did you use your foot to tamp in the soil (from edge to center) to set the tree? You should have then made sure your bed edge was beyond the dripline and made a trench of three inches or more at the trenchline for irrigation. This is the place you want the water to promote the root growth. The trench should have been completely soaked then the bed mulched and soaked.
Trees and shrubs generally go through transplant shock. The shock is evident in virtually every tree and shrub. For example, a transplanted Blue or Gray tree such as the Colorado Spruce will be green for two to three years before the roots are secure. The Red Maple will be the same. Do not fret on the color, rather, the location, the prep you did, and keep the receipts.
At this point you need to find a location which provides full sun and where you can allow the tree to grow up and out without interference. Whomever sold you, Lowes I presume, "New Tree Soil" and a 9 month fert sold you nonsense. You will need to do two things in Late September to mid-October. Transplant to the new ideal location or get a new tree.
Prepare the new site as prescribed with the additives as described. Return the tree to Lowes and get a refund not a new tree. Find a local reputable Nursery and purchase a true and healthy Red Maple. A great company for tools and hardware. Personally, I do not purchase my food from a drug store, nor, my drugs from a food store. Buying anything but maybe annual flowers from such Box Stores is a mistake.
It will probably recover from the transplant shock. Regardless prepare the site for replacement. Good Luck. I am at gjgjobs@yahoo.com.
If its in a part shade area can rule out sun scorch. Have you watered it enough! in my area we have not seen a drop of rain in 5 weeks so check the soil around the tree and make sure it is watered good.
Could just be transplant shock. Give it a week or so. Take some pictures if you can every day and if it gets worse take them to a nursery (not lowes or home depot).
Good luck
I live in New Orleans. I planted one about five years ago. During the Dog days, I have the same problem. Watering helps, but they generally are not very tolerant of the heat. Try moving it to a more shaded area, such as under a large tree, where it will stay cooler.
Ours is in the ground, and makes it a little further into the summer every year, due to root growth I assume.
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