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Maple Tree Dying? #811009

Asked September 15, 2022, 10:57 PM EDT

We noticed our once lush green maple tree leaves drying up and falling off the tree. This appears to be happening to about 50-60% of the tree. Any idea what is causing this to occur? Is there anything we can do to save the tree? See photos attached

Thanks,

Douglas County Colorado

Expert Response

Good morning! There is definitely something going on with your tree. It could be several things, so we have some questions for you, so we can better understand what is going on:
1. How long has the tree been in decline?
2. How old is the tree?
3. Is it irrigated or in a lawn situation? Any changes to the irrigation?
4. Has there been any construction or activity that would have disrupted the tree's root system?
5. How about some pictures of the leaves, along with the tree's placement in the yard?
6. Is the leaf the only symptom (are they browning or just curling and dying) or is there anything going on at the base or trunk?
7. The left side looks worse than the right side of the tree by looking at the photos...does it appear to be spreading to the right side?

Thanks for contacting the DC Master Gardeners!
Leslie Hopkins

Kind Regards, Replied September 16, 2022, 12:37 PM EDT

see responses below. thanks

From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2022 10:37 AM
To: Kim Seeman <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Maple Tree Dying? (#0080939)

The Question Asker Replied September 16, 2022, 6:17 PM EDT

Greetings,

Thank you for sharing additional pictures of the tree.

Looking at the first set of pictures with the tree in the corner, what direction is the left side of the tree?

In addition, what is the watering schedule for the tree?

Kind Regards, Replied September 17, 2022, 1:27 PM EDT

Hello!

The left side of the tree faces west.

It gets watered every other day for 10 min.

Thanks

From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2022 11:27 AM
To: Kim Seeman <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Maple Tree Dying? (#0080939)

The Question Asker Replied September 17, 2022, 7:16 PM EDT

Good morning Kim;

Thank you for the additional information. I believe your tree would benefit from a modified watering schedule; it might need additional water. An easy way to assess the tree's water needs is to take a screwdriver and poke several places within and out of the dripline. If the screwdriver penetrates 6-8", the tree has enough water. Trees benefit from watering less often with more water. Enclosed please find links to two resources regarding caring for trees. Please contact us with additional questions.

https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/657.pdf (please see page 3 for watering information- the recommended amount of water is per week).

https://csfs.colostate.edu/colorado-trees/selecting-planting-and-caring-for-trees/#:~:text=Generally%2C%20a%20newly%20planted%20tree,month%20in%20the%20dormant%20season.

Colorado Master Gardeners of Douglas County

2022 Virtual Helpdesk

Questions answered daily by email!

On Sat, Sep 17, 2022 at 5:16 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

Kind Regards, Replied September 19, 2022, 11:27 AM EDT

Thank you for your suggestion. We will try to follow your advice about more water.

From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2022 9:27 AM
To: Kim Seeman <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Maple Tree Dying? (#0080939)

The Question Asker Replied September 20, 2022, 12:48 AM EDT

Hello,

We have a few more questions for you.....

Do you think our tree is dead?

Do you think the tree recover from this?

Are there any chemicals, other than water, that you would suggest us to use?

Thanks!

The Question Asker Replied September 23, 2022, 10:34 PM EDT

Colorado Master Gardeners of Douglas County

2022 Virtual Helpdesk

Questions answered daily by email!

Hi Kim, thank you for contacting the Douglas County Master Gardeners. In response to your question, at this point, after reading other questions and responses submitted for this tree, I would suggest you contact the CSU plant diagnostic lab and they will guide you in submitting a specimen that can hopefully determine if the tree has a disease or any other problem going on. I would not apply chemicals at this point because the problem has not been identified. Below is the site for the CSU diagnostic lab. Thanks again for contacting us.

https://agsci.colostate.edu/agbio/plantclinic/

Jana Price

Colorado Master Gardener

On Mon, Sep 26, 2022 at 10:06 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

Hi Douglas County Master Gardeners,

Question #0080939 has been assigned to you by John M.

Maple Tree Dying?

We noticed our once lush green maple tree leaves drying up and falling off the tree. This appears to be happening to about 50-60% of the tree. Any idea what is causing this to occur? Is there anything we can do to save the tree? See photos attached

Thanks,

From: Kim Seeman
Submitted: 09/15/2022 10:57 PM

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Kind Regards, Replied September 26, 2022, 1:26 PM EDT

Maple Tree Dying? #811009

Expert Response

Maple Tree Dying?

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