What's wrong with my maple tree?

[Patler]

We have a maple tree that was transplanted into our yard 3 years ago. The guy who did it has done various work for us for years, and is very good. The tree was a big transplant and stands about 20 feet tall. It was planted with a huge rootball, and came from a quality tree nursery that ships all around the country. These were all people who know what they are doing.

The tree was perfect in 2014. Healthy, growing well, no signs of anything wrong. Last spring and summer it looked great, showed some noticeable growth, perfectly shaped. In the fall, it dropped its leaves somewhat early, and quite quickly, but I didn't think too much of it.

This spring, it is completely dead on one half. The other half leafed out fine. It is as if someone split it done the middle, no leaves at all, not even a bud on one half. Nothing dead at all on the other half. Oddest looking thing......

Any ideas?

[Deputy Nutz]

woody?

[mraynrand]

I had that happen to another variety tree at our church. Eventually the whole thing died. When they cut it down it had rot on one side. Was not an ash or elm, so no ash borer or dutch elm disease.

I've transplanted a lot of trees myself (oak, silver maple, buckeye), and one thing that is really insidious for maples and buckeye is the bark. I've seen splitting but it never affected the trees in sections, just slowed growth until it could repair (covered with with the wrap and/or the repair tar). I have seen what you describe when roots have been interfered with on one side, mechanically, that is, roots were dug into by gas pipeline construction - but don't know for sure if it was the mechanical disruption or any chemicals, etc that got in the hole. I will be interested to hear what the arborist says. Tell them to address the problem or you will plant them!

[3irty1]

No buds at all would rule out disease I think.

Is there anything about the trees positioning that might corroborate an explanation of winter wind drying out the affected half? Is it the southwest side?

[Patler]

I had that happen to another variety tree at our church. Eventually the whole thing died. When they cut it down it had rot on one side. Was not an ash or elm, so no ash borer or dutch elm disease.

I've transplanted a lot of trees myself (oak, silver maple, buckeye), and one thing that is really insidious for maples and buckeye is the bark. I've seen splitting but it never affected the trees in sections, just slowed growth until it could repair (covered with with the wrap and/or the repair tar). I have seen what you describe when roots have been interfered with on one side, mechanically, that is, roots were dug into by gas pipeline construction - but don't know for sure if it was the mechanical disruption or any chemicals, etc that got in the hole. I will be interested to hear what the arborist says. Tell them to address the problem or you will plant them!

No buds at all would rule out disease I think.

Is there anything about the trees positioning that might corroborate an explanation of winter wind drying out the affected half? Is it the southwest side?

The tree sits out in an open area of my lawn which has been undisturbed since the tree was planted. The holes for the coffee cans of gold coins aren't very large, so shouldn't cause a problem,; and the rotting corpses of family member Vikings fans (Mrs. Patler's family) are much farther away. No indication of pests or burrowing animals of any sort. No visible damage to the tree. other than that half of it is dead.

The guy who planted it is a bit perplexed. He asked if we could wait a bit due to his work schedule, so it might be a while before we get it out to look at it. Unfortunately, the nursery isn't likely to do anything because it falls outside their warranty on tree transplants. It was a pricey tree, which I was OK with because at my age I don't have the time to wait for it to mature!

Four other trees planted at the same time on the Patler estate are doing fine. All were good size trees, but the dying one was the largest and most expensive. Over the years we had lost a lot of trees that lived their useful lives or were badly damaged in storms, so we felt it was time to replace some.

[MadtownPacker]

Do you sometimes take a leak on that side? I don't know size of lot that Patler estate is but is it possible the roots pop out and ran into a neighbors yard where the neighbor put some kill shit on it?

[Patler]

Do you sometimes take a leak on that side? I don't know size of lot that Patler estate is but is it possible the roots pop out and ran into a neighbors yard where the neighbor put some kill shit on it?

Good thoughts, but our outhouse is on the other side of the lot, and the roots wouldn't be close to the neighbor yet.

[woodbuck27]

woody?

I just opened this thread...I'll get on that soon Patler and Deputy.

I've got an idea but need time to assess this problem.

[mraynrand]

I just opened this thread...I'll get on that soon Patler and Deputy.

I've got an idea but need time to assess this problem.

you have one day - then Patler cuts the tree down.

[woodbuck27]

you have one day - then Patler cuts the tree down.

I'm pretty amazed about this problem. 3irt1's response is intriguing.

An eastern exposure with a half day of sun should be adequate for good growth, especially out in the open. If it was a northern exposure and therefore the least amount of sun..... you might be more likely to suspect shade as the issue.


Now Mad might have 'nailed it ' down? My reaction to his response:

Is Patler 'a Big' pisser'?


My first thought was root damage to the affected side. Sometimes mature Maples will have one side of the tree with stunted leaves from a girdling root against the trunk on that particular side. Then there's this to weigh in with.... girdling roots typically become a problem in much later years of growth. Has this tree reached that stage? It wouldn't hurt to carefully excavate around the base of the trunk to make sure plastic nursery twine (or plastic burlap) isn't causing constriction in any way.

Now..... If that's the issue and the tree planting company guaranteed their work? Patler might have a claim for a tree replacement.

[wootah]

PR Injury report: Patler has a tree.

[Patler]

Good thoughts Woody, but this tree was planted just three years ago, and as is typical for transplanted trees, it hasn't really increased much yet in girth, even though it did grow taller last year. I was there when the tree was planted, and they appeared to have removed all twine and wire of any type. The nursery this tree came from is only 5-6 miles from my house. It is very large, having bought up many farms years ago. They root prune all of their stock that has been dug and mounded for sale, to prevent the roots from circling, and there didn't seem to be any evidence of that in any of the root balls of the trees we planted. They guy who did the planting particularly likes to use their large trees, because he said the roots take off and grow outward very quickly due to all the care they put into managing the root systems in the nursery.

I can understand a lot of things stressing the tree generally, and even killing large portions of it; but something essentially bisecting the tee is unusual, and the dead half is completely dead, no visible life in it at all. Especially strange because last summer, the tree was perfect, and healthy.

[woodbuck27]

Good thoughts Woody, but this tree was planted just three years ago, and as is typical for transplanted trees, it hasn't really increased much yet in girth, even though it did grow taller last year. I was there when the tree was planted, and they appeared to have removed all twine and wire of any type. The nursery this tree came from is only 5-6 miles from my house. It is very large, having bought up many farms years ago. They root prune all of their stock that has been dug and mounded for sale, to prevent the roots from circling, and there didn't seem to be any evidence of that in any of the root balls of the trees we planted. They guy who did the planting particularly likes to use their large trees, because he said the roots take off and grow outward very quickly due to all the care they put into managing the root systems in the nursery.

I can understand a lot of things stressing the tree generally, and even killing large portions of it; but something essentially bisecting the tee is unusual, and the dead half is completely dead, no visible life in it at all. Especially strange because last summer, the tree was perfect, and healthy.

Yes this issue is a difficult one,then... to assess as to the cause.

I'll take some time on this later Patler. I've a Chicken soup to put on right now.

[woodbuck27]

I found this Patler:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2018912/no-leaves-on-one-side-of-my-red-maple-tree

no leaves on one side of my red maple tree

Thomas_NH(z5 New England)June 7, 2012

" ...I planted this red maple ten years ago. looked fine every summer. today I saw that one of the side of the tree has bare branches, no leaves. anybody have an idea as to what happened? insects, disease? ...."

Response:

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

" ...Die back of maples by branch or in larger sections is often attributed to Verticillium wilt.

This is a soil pathogen to which maples are very susceptible. It is present in most soils but usually in a dormant stage until stimulated into life by some sort of mechanical injury or major stress factor. These can include such things as unusual weather occurrences, drought, poor drainage and root disturbance.

IME, VW is pretty much fatal and rather rapidly so and replanting with another maple or VW-susceptible species is not advised, but I have read of occurrences where the trees can survive for a number of years with the affliction.

The only way to be sure is to take a sample into your extension service office or other plant pathologist for diagnosis.

Here is a link that might be useful: Verticillium wilt .... "

[Patler]

I found this Patler:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2018912/no-leaves-on-one-side-of-my-red-maple-tree

no leaves on one side of my red maple tree

Thomas_NH(z5 New England)June 7, 2012

" ...I planted this red maple ten years ago. looked fine every summer. today I saw that one of the side of the tree has bare branches, no leaves. anybody have an idea as to what happened? insects, disease? ...."

Response:

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

" ...Die back of maples by branch or in larger sections is often attributed to Verticillium wilt.

This is a soil pathogen to which maples are very susceptible. It is present in most soils but usually in a dormant stage until stimulated into life by some sort of mechanical injury or major stress factor. These can include such things as unusual weather occurrences, drought, poor drainage and root disturbance.

IME, VW is pretty much fatal and rather rapidly so and replanting with another maple or VW-susceptible species is not advised, but I have read of occurrences where the trees can survive for a number of years with the affliction.

The only way to be sure is to take a sample into your extension service office or other plant pathologist for diagnosis.

Here is a link that might be useful: Verticillium wilt .... "

Thanks Woodbuck. I read the article linked from the discussion forum that you linked to, and it sounds very much like the situation I have. It seems like there could be a possibility of the tree "compartmentalizing" the disease and bouncing back in the next year or two. However, because of how extensive it seems to be, this is probably unlikely.

Thanks again. Very helpful.