Hello, I'm new to the forum and I need help with my tree. I recently bought my first home and there's a tree in the front yard that looks in bad shape. I'd like to know what kind of tree it is and also, how to help it. It has purple leaves in the summer. I'd really appreciate any help. Thanks again.
That looks like a japanese maple tree. Search images of that and see if that's what it is. I hope that helps.
Actually, doesn't look too bad! Maybe just needs a bit of trimming - shorten the thin branches that are longer than the others maybe. Not sure if it is a maple - flowering plums have purple leaves too. Send in more pics when it leafs out.
Thanks everyone for your help, I really appreciate it. I will post more pics when it has leaves. Thanks again.
Daniel, thanks, zoomed in on the photo. A quick look on Google images shows that not all Japanese maples have opposite twigs so that may narrow the search quickly.
I'm pretty sure all maples have opposite leaf arrangements, but I have seen images where that isn't readily apparent as well. There are other opposite-leaved things this could be, so I agree -- need to wait for foliage to be certain.
Looking at what can be made out of the twigs I suspect this is a purple-leaved sycamore maple given an abnormal branch pattern by the repeated pruning cuts that can be seen in the picture.
