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Maple tree dead? #794608

Asked June 06, 2022, 8:53 PM EDT

See attached images of our red maple tree. All seemed good last fall. Beautiful change of leaves. Appears it budded, but no leaves. Wondering if we should get an arborist out to check. Thank you for your advice. Karla

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

 Red maples only grow well in soil that has a pH 4.5 to 6.5.  Yellowing leaves with green veins are a symptom of manganese deficiency caused by high pH soils. Maples are very sensitive to road salt.
https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/red-maple
You can tell if a tree branch is still alive by scraping off a tiny amount of bark on a branch.  If the layer just under the bark is green then the branch is still alive.  If the layer is brown then the the branch has died.  It has been a very cool spring so the tree may be slow to come out of dormancy. Since the red maple tree is so large it is best to hire a certified arborist if the tree needs to cut down.
https ://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional
The next site explains how to plant a new tree if  a replacement is needed.
https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-transplanting-trees-and-shrubs
The final site will help you select a new tree if your red maple is no longer alive.  Maples are over planted in MN so we suggest that you do not plant another maple tree.
https://extension.umn.edu/tree-selection-and-care/recommended-trees-minnesota#recommended-trees-for-southeast-minnesota-1275561
Pat M MN master gardener and TCA Replied June 06, 2022, 9:35 PM EDT

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