Will my Red Maple tree live?
by Stacy W
+9
I have a Bloodgood Red Maple that was planted mid-May in Canton, GA. It is now dropping leaves like crazy. I've determined that between the sprinkler system and me hand watering, it has gotten way too much water. I've since stopped the hand watering. While it is above ground level I'm thinking it settled a bit and would do better planted higher. Because is so hot right now I know I probably shouldn't pull it out and replant it higher. Will it last through the summer? Have I killed it? Or do you think I should replant it higher in the Fall?
12 answers
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Can you post a photo, Stacy, so we can see the planting depth?
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Jun 26, 2012
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photos
![Stacy W]()
Stacy W
on Jun 26, 2012
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I think it's just establishment stress....remember next time that fall planting is by far the best time to plant a tree. For the time being, go buy a drip irrigation bag (treegator is one brand) and fill it twice a week.
![Walter Reeves]()
Walter Reeves
on Jun 26, 2012
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I'm with Walter. If you can get your tree through the summer, I would not subject it to the additional stress of replanting as the depth does not appear to be the issue.
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Jun 27, 2012
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Ok then I'll hope for the best. I just went out to water the others which I'm hand watering 2 times a week (but using a water gauge now) and the the Red Maple still shows wet. I've not watered it in about 2 weeks by hand. Granted it rained a bit 2 days ago but the other trees register dry. So I doubt that made it wet. The sprinkler system near the tree went off on Sunday. We have new sod that went in after the tree and we are now watering it every 5 days. I think for the 2 weeks we watered it daily the tree got so wet that now it can't dry out. When I pass by it during the day I give it a little touch and tell it to hang in there. Maybe my words of encouragement will help.
![Stacy W]()
Stacy W
on Jun 27, 2012
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I'd do the same thing, Stacy.
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Jun 28, 2012
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It's been about 7 weeks since I noticed the leaves dropping. I have not watered it since and the water gauge still shows wet. Our lawn service person said he can see where the roots are dying and the best chance for it to live is if pull it out now, trim the dying roots, and replant. Any opinions on this? We are thinking maybe the sprinkle system is leaking below the tree which we'll check when we pull it out. Any ideas on how to do this with as little stress as possible?
![Stacy W]()
Stacy W
on Jul 18, 2012
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If your tree is is in constantly wet soil, getting it out of that situation is going to help it. But I'm confused about the planting as most irrigation system lines are much less deep in the ground than a hole for a tree of that size would need to be.
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Jul 19, 2012
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Oh I didn't realize that. It was just an idea because we can't figure out why it's constanly wet.
![Stacy W]()
Stacy W
on Jul 19, 2012
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Did you not plant the tree? If a nursery did it, I would make them come out and take a look. Maybe they cut a line when they were digging. If they noticed the spot was that wet, they should have let you know.
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Jul 19, 2012
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Yes a nusery planted it. We'll contact them and see what they want to do. Thanks
![Stacy W]()
Stacy W
on Jul 19, 2012
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I have bought the same tree recently, should I of waited until fall? I haven't planted it yet and the tips of the leaves are black and dry, what does that mean?
![Mary]()
Mary
on May 16, 2013
Walter Reeves
on Jun 26, 2012
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