Sunset maple... not growing?!

Andrew

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Hi all-

We have a Sunset Maple that was planted four years ago. It hasn't grown.

No idea what's going on.... there are plenty of variables, I'm sure, but don't know what would cause this - only think I can really think of is that we haven't pruned it, thinking it wasn't growing and didn't want to harm it.

Leaves look OK.

Any help appreciated!
Andrew
 

Andrew

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Ok, sure... what would you like pictures of? Here's one from April 24th of this year... I took another one a few years ago from about the same place because even then it didn't seem like it was growing; I used the corner point of the dormer on the front of the house for comparison. I'll see if I can find it.
 

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thistlebloom

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You're right, there are dozens of variables that could be the cause of it not growing.
From the picture it appears healthy. Maybe you could get a closer picture of the base of the trunk.

Many trees are planted too deep, and they can survive for years but eventually succumb to rot on the trunk from exposure to constant moisture. A tree should be planted so you can see the root flare, not look straight up and down like a pencil was stuck in the ground.

Also, it should not have turf under the drip line. grass is very competitive with tree roots and can keep it from getting the moisture it needs. It should not be expected to survive on lawn water only, but have a basin and get a deep soak frequently when it's first planted so those roots get good growth.

It could also appreciate some fertilizing apart from what you put on the lawn (and I hope you don't use a weed and feed product ).

Were the roots loosened and circling roots cut? Sometimes the roots keep growing around inside the hole and don't spread.
 

so lucky

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I am wondering if it is planted on fill dirt, and may not be getting the nutrients it needs out of the soil.
And....what Thistle said!
 

Smart Red

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We have an Eskimo Sunset maple in our yard as well.
New maple - Eskimo Sunset.JPG
It is perhaps 7 years old now and this is the first year it looked like it put out decent growth. I suspect they are slow to start.
Maple Eskimo sunset 2016.JPG

Also, I've since read that maples do best in partial shade? Mine is in full sun and I rather thought that might be the reason it didn't take off. Now I believe it was just getting its root system ready for good, steady growth.
 

Andrew

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IMG_2472.JPG
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IMG_2474.JPG
The tree is in full sun. Here are a few more pics from today.

Uh... not sure why they're sideways... sorry
 

thistlebloom

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Full sun should be fine. I have five planted in full sun. They really get too big to be an understory tree.

It looks like you have something going on at the base of the trunk. you may have some rot going on there. Is it wet like that often? I would do some excavating around the base with a trowel and see if you can see the buttress roots, or more of the trunk flare. In my opinion it's planted too deep.


I've had to do root excavations on a lot of trees. Mostly ones where the clients have had bark blown in for years and it accumulates around the trunk. I removed 12" (!) of beauty bark from around the trunk of one failing tree and it turned it around and started to thrive.

Root excavation probably sounds a lot more involved than it really is. You need a garden trowel and some time when you aren't rushed. Carefully start scraping dirt away from the perimeter of the trunk being careful not to wound the tree.
When you find the root flare remove the dirt so the flare is exposed all the way around.
You don't need to go real deep, just deep enough to make a definite change in the shape of your trunk base. Widen the basin around the tree so it's a gradual slope to the trunk. It looks like your tree is on a mound so that will be working in your favor.

You may discover another problem when you dig the trunk out. That would be a girdling root. That is a root that has circled around close to the trunk and is actually growing into the cambium layer.
But first things first. I'll be very interested in what you find. When you have gone through all of that a good tree feeding would be in order.
 

Andrew

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Hi Thistlebloom & so lucky,

Not sure about what it's planted in, but everything else we've planted seems to do OK.

Thistlebloom, I'll excavate today. The bottom of the trunk always looks like that - not sure what caused it, but it's been there for a long time. (Maybe that's contributing to its lack of growth?)

I'll check for girding but I doubt that's the case as it's only been planted four years with little apparent change in height. We do unfortunately have two 15-year old trees next to the deck - wonderful trees - with girding, but they're big...

cheers
Andrew
 
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