We have a very tall (over 7 feet) maple tree in our front yard. It was here when we moved in several years ago. It has always budded in the spring and shed those leaves in the fall. But recently the leaves were only growing on the trunk. And we have had a few days of very windy weather and a lot of the branches (even the big ones) have just snapped off. My husband actually pulled a large branch off by gently tugging on it. Is it dead? Or should we just trim off all the branches and leave the trunk?
2007-02-24 07:13:43 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Sounds like it has die back on the top and is trying to regrow from the bottom. (natural for a tree trying to survive).
If you want to know if the top branches are dead, scratch the bark with your fingernail. If the layer underneath is green that branch is alive at that point. Continue doing this up the branch until the green is not displayed. (dead from then on, cut at this point where the green stops).
If you wait till spring, give it some time to sprout. If none of the branches leaf up you will find all the unsprouted branches are dead. Prune off.
If the tree is ungrafted any regrowth will be the original tree reshooting and of you go again. If the tree has been grafted and underneath the graft (bulge on trunk where the two varieties have been grafted (sometimes different bark on both bits), is shooting you may find the pretty top variety has died and only the rootstock is growing (usually tougher then grafted material) and you may as well pull it out.
If you still have the 'proper' part of the tree growing let only a couple of shoots come again, this will allow only 1 trunk evenutually instead of a shrub. (leave a couple in case one or two are knocked off). Once these shoots get going, pick the strongest and straightest one, and remove all the others. This will now become the new trunk. The large roots of the tree should push top growth along quickly.
You should however, investigate why this tree has died back. Not enough water, too much fertilizer? Once you do all your pruning, apply a seaweed extract to get things going again. (Mild growth promoter). Good luck.
2007-02-24 08:05:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
it may have a diesease tell you what you can do if you wont to keep the tree as long as its not a silver maple which if it is your better off letting it die because it will cause more harm than good a silver maple will grow on top of the ground they will also grow into the septic tank cement drive ways but if it a red,sunset,october glory try this cut the tree off about 4 inches above the ground and let it start all over keep the sucker off but leave 1 that is good and straigth it will in a year take over the stump and make a new tree i have worked in the nursery 20 years and we do this all the time hope i have helped you
2007-02-24 09:41:33 · answer #2 · answered by mountainchowpurple 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When branches come off look at the center of the wood. If there is some green then it is alive. If it is all the same color as the outside and it snaps then it is dead. I think that waiting until spring is a good idea, then you will know for sure.
2007-02-24 18:28:16 · answer #3 · answered by noonecanne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You tree is 7 foot high, I am assuming that is about 3 inches in diameter. It is probably dying. Check to see if you have replacement warranty for it . Most landscapers or nurseries guarantee their plant material. BUT>> you can try this.. if you are certain it is in deep trouble but not dead: cut it down 6 inches above the ground level. If it is alive, it will send up fast growing shoots in about a month. Save the best leader and cut the rest off. Don't do this now, in February, or the poor thing will sap (bleed) to its death. Wait till April. Or replace it.
2007-02-24 09:20:45 · answer #4 · answered by Emee 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Wait till spring to see how much it leafs out. It might come back.
Do not do anything yet. What state are you in? The severe weather might have damaged it. But wait, give it a chance.
2007-02-24 08:12:18 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The prognosis doesn't look good. Sounds like you're going to have to cut it down & buy a new tree. -Spring is a good time to do that, too.
2007-02-24 07:51:57 · answer #6 · answered by Joseph, II 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A good trimming in the spring might cause some new growth.
2007-02-24 07:22:38 · answer #7 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you leave as is. in the spring . you can trim off the dead ones but it will sprout new shoots.
2007-02-24 07:20:56 · answer #8 · answered by ROBERT S 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It needs to be pruned and watered and a tree stake .Miracle Grow is a good one.
2007-02-24 07:25:09 · answer #9 · answered by Emmy1881 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It needs one pruning cut ...at the ground level.
2007-02-24 09:57:41 · answer #10 · answered by sw-in-gardener 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋