Saving a Red Maple(acer rubrum)

ratherbclimbing

ratherbclimbing

Location
Knoxville TN
A client of mine has a red maple that is severely stressed. Ninety percent of the leaves have fallen off, some die back in the crown, and compacted soil from heavy machinery.

I have drilled holes with and auger bit a foot deep introduced compost, mycorrhizae, and peat moss to aerate the soil. Taken soil samples to test; will post results later. There were some small girdled roots at the surface that I removed also.

I also applied some Mauget Stemix 2ml injections. I don't know if this was the wisest decision but know that it can be beneficial for foliar and root growth.

I have limited resources as a small company in its infancy. I don't have an air spade so if there are any suggestions for me to further check for girdled roots, suggestions are welcome. I also have ordered a Ross root feeder to help with the soil compaction problem. I took some pictures of the leaves to appear to have bacterial leaf scorch? There is no signs of insect infestation.

Please help! Thanks in advance.
 

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The one photo indicates to me that the tree might be dead.

"Are there new buds? Are the twigs green and pliable or do the break easily?" is the first place to start. Then scrape bark and look for live tissue then do a stored starch test.

"I also applied some Mauget Stemix 2ml injections. I don't know if this was the wisest decision but know that it can be beneficial for foliar and root growth." Then why did you do it other than to line your wallet?

"I have limited resources as a small company in its infancy." Well spend some money and get some education if you intend to sell plant health. If you are selling services without the ability to actually provide them then it is dishonest at the least and fraudulant in all likelihood.

"I don't have an air spade so if there are any suggestions for me to further check for girdled roots" Use a small air compressor (such as builders use, a shop-vac, wisk brushes etc.

"I took some pictures of the leaves to appear to have bacterial leaf scorch?" Well where are they? We are no ablility to help without the photos.
 
x2 Jeff. Is the raised bed around the tree not a red flag? It's the fisrst thing I noticed when I opened the attachment and would probably be the starting/stoping point of any evaluation of that tree.
 
I was having my girlfriend type this post yesterday on our way to hike. Just wanted to get it on here as soon as possible.

The raised bed around it was my first concern. It had mulch right up against the tree. The soil though is even with the ground the whole way around the tree. Only the top course is mortared in.

The Tree is still alive it has new bud growth all over it and pliable branches all over which are still green and alive.

The soil all the way from the outside of the raised bed past the dripline is compacted and barely absorbs water at all.

Mrtree just to explain a little further I am a man of character. I charged the client for the price of the stemix and nothing else. I am taking this trees survival on as a personal project/hobby of mine. Since I know the soil is compacted and the roots are struggling is why I went with the stemix injections. BUT like I said I didn't know if this was the wisest decision. And I have explained thoroughly to the homeowner that it was a long shot. I have invested my own time and money into this and will continue to. I do have a shop vac and air compressor. Don't know why I didn't think of that.
 
use trowel and hose to check collar, IF you are getting paid for it. Do not listen to attackers who dont poost their own work but say you are lining your pockets. Do not hesitate to charge for your best efforts. Do look at the soil and the root collar at least before shooting the tree up.

pic does not appear. try again. hang in there!
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Another leaf pic seems healthy... Sure its not red maple..

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Pretty sure, most likely a crimson king or royal red. Your first pic, the odd looking flat spot at the ground on the right side of the stem could just be the way the pic was taken but looks like it would suggest very large problems below grade. We see flat spots and malformed root flares on trees of that vintage and species up here and they usually are too far gone to do anything about.
 
I do not think it is BLS. Appears to be a water (lack of) issue perhaps created by compacted soils and a poor root system.

Buy an air spade (1200 at treestuff) or air knife. You can charge this customer a few hundred for the cost of the tool (plus compressor rental) and find 6 more customers and you will have the airspade payed for.

As for charging for stemix and nothing else, why do it if you do not know what is wrong? Either find out what is wrong, and treat it, or pass the work on to somebody that can diagnosis the problem. Think about how you would feel if your truck shook when it was moving and your mechanic sayed "I don't know what is wrong so I am going to charge you for an alternator".
 
You need to find out a couple of things

1) where is the soil compacted and what is the bulk density

2) how extensive the wrapping, girdling and poor root structure are.

Then decide if you should proceed with remedial work
 
I know that compacted soil has got to be the majority of the problem. I came here looking for suggestions. I figured my peers would embrace not criticize. Not trying to banter back and forth; I get what you are saying about the mechanic.

Since I know the tree is having trouble absorbing water due to the compacted soil, is it not reasonable to believe the tree is also having trouble absorbing nutrients from the soil as well.

Since stemix targets environmental stresses, nutritional deficiencies, root system damage, frost damage recovery, frost protection, insect damage recovery and more.... Why would that have been me defrauding the customer?

The HO informed me that on the driveway he had done they used a large backhoe and parked overnight twice right next to the tree and drove back and forth over the root system. This was two years ago.

The well/raised bed they had built around it was a year ago.

The soil is red Georgia clay here in Tn..it compacts nicely.
 
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