Knowledgebase

Sienna Glen Maple not leafing out #752287

Asked May 26, 2021, 1:27 PM EDT

My tree looks like it's dying. Would you be able to stop by and look at it? it's a Sienna Glen Maple and it's not leafing out. Wondering what I should do. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

Cass County North Dakota

Expert Response

Thank you for your question.  Can you tell me a little bit more; first where are you located?  How old is the tree?  I notice that the grass is right up to the tree; have you applied any fertilizers or herbicides?

This year has been tough on maples.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 26, 2021, 2:10 PM EDT
I live in Oakcreek of south Fargo. The tree was planted in 2011. I have not applied any fertilzer or herbicides to the tree, only the normal lawn services provided by TrueGreen.

It has been in this condition since last year

Thanks!

On Wed, May 26, 2021 at 1:10 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 26, 2021, 3:40 PM EDT

Good morning.

Sienna Glen Maple, and its close relative Autumn Blaze Maple, are members of a maple group that struggle greatly in our region. Such maples would be happier in the naturally forested areas of Minnesota and eastward. In the Red River Valley and west, the heavy clay alkaline soils are not friendly to these maples. As such, they are naturally under stress, making them more susceptible to damage from winter injury, herbicide injury, or problems such as iron deficiency.
You mentioned lawn services by TruGreen, and that company is most likely applying herbicide as a main part of their service. Damage such as shown in the photo is generally not caused by insects or diseases for which there is treatment.
When a maple succumbs to problems like non-adaptability, winter injury, or herbicide injury, there is little that can be done, other than wait-and-see if the tree recovers. You can check twigs for life by bending them: live twigs will be pliable, while dead twigs snap. With your thumbnail, scratch aside a little of the outer twig bark. Live twigs have a bright green layer beneath, while dead twigs don't. Also, check the base of the tree trunk at ground level to determine if there has been any scarring or damage from lawnmowers or string trimmers over the years. Even slight scars can stress a tree and make it susceptible to other injuries or death. I remove grass from three feet around the tree and replace with mulch, keeping the mulch/moisture about an inch or so from the trunk.
If damage is severe enough, these maples often require replacement with other more-adapted tree types.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 27, 2021, 9:41 AM EDT
Thank you. I did check for damage at the base of the trunk and I did not see any such scarring. I've been very careful to make sure that does not happen. Would you recommend cutting it down and replacing it? If so, what is your best recommendation for replacement?
On Thu, May 27, 2021 at 8:41 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 27, 2021, 2:43 PM EDT

It is your choice whether to remove the grass around the tree, replace with mulch and give it another year to see if there is improvement or to replace the tree.  I'm dealing with this dilemma myself with a spring snow crabapple that has rabbit damage.  I will send you a list of trees later today.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 02, 2021, 8:30 AM EDT

Maples should be mulched and use tree protectors in the winter.  They each have some issues such as can become weedy, cleanup of seed pods etc.

Tatarian Maple Red samaras - cultivar Hot Wings

Amur Maple (ginnala) can be single or multi-stemmed Canpfire deep red fall color

Sugar Maple NDSU Release Northern Flare

State Stree Miyabe Maple
Rugged Ridge Miyabe Maple

Not a maple, however unique and beautiful:

Northern Catalpa no red fall color, huge leaves, large seed pods, can be messy

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 03, 2021, 1:48 AM EDT

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