Why are my young maples dying? - Ask Extension
I have a wooded lot with mixed trees of conifers, oaks, maples, et al. I've noticed that several of my younger maples have recently died. It has bee...
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Why are my young maples dying? #805028
Asked August 07, 2022, 10:43 AM EDT
I have a wooded lot with mixed trees of conifers, oaks, maples, et al. I've noticed that several of my younger maples have recently died. It has been dry, but the other trees are thriving. I looked at the trunks and don't see any signs of rabbits chewing the bark. Is there a disease that's killing them? Pics attached of a few in my back yard. One does have new growth coming from the base.
Grand Traverse County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Tina,
When resources are limited, especially water, trees and sometimes sections of trees “lose the battle” and fail. This looks like the case here. The planting is so dense, some trees will not receive enough water and can go into early fall color.
The younger trees are stressed by being crowded, and perhaps there is some underground activity by wildlife affecting roots, too. Some individual trees regularly display early fall color when stressed.
If you want these trees to have a better chance of survival, you can clear a 2-3 foot circle around them and mulch around this circle( not letting mulch touch trunk). Give them extra water to encourage them. Next year they may return.
When resources are limited, especially water, trees and sometimes sections of trees “lose the battle” and fail. This looks like the case here. The planting is so dense, some trees will not receive enough water and can go into early fall color.
The younger trees are stressed by being crowded, and perhaps there is some underground activity by wildlife affecting roots, too. Some individual trees regularly display early fall color when stressed.
If you want these trees to have a better chance of survival, you can clear a 2-3 foot circle around them and mulch around this circle( not letting mulch touch trunk). Give them extra water to encourage them. Next year they may return.
Thank you for your quick response.
You are welcome!
