Knowledgebase
Transplant shock #764086
Asked July 26, 2021, 6:16 PM EDT
Polk County Iowa
Expert Response
This is a challenging site for many shade trees. Addressing this issue can be challenging without some significant work on soil improvement. Always check the soil moisture before watering - both the tree or the surrounding lawn. Only water when the soil is dry several inches down.
Anything you can do to improve drainage in the area will be beneficial for this tree. Below are a couple of links for techniques that can be used to help improve drainage.
https://landscape-water-conservation.extension.org/practices-to-improve-drainage/
https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6955
The most effective long-term solution for this site is to select a different tree species that is more tolerant of the wet, heavy soils in this area. This maple is not going to perform as well in this location as a tree well suited for wet conditions like bald cypress or black tupelo. This maple tree is young and small enough to be moved (again!) to a location with better soil conditions and a different species planted in its place that can grow more reliably in these soil conditions. Consult the following link for a list of trees well adapted to wet and/or poorly drained soils.
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1998/8-7-1998/wetshrubs.html
Good luck! Happy gardening.