Sick Maple - Drying out

Hello,

I have a young maple tree in my yard (planted 5 years ago - 15 feet when we planted). I just noticed a number of leafs on the ground around the tree in the last few days and after closer inspection, it looks like the leaves are drying out.

Brown brittal spots in the leaves, yellowing from the vains, and dry brittal leaves on the ground.

Can you please let me know if you have seen this before, what it may be and what if anything I can / should do about it.

Thanks,

Mark

 

How long has the bark looked like that? That's your biggest clue, in my opinion.

 

Hi,

The bark has looked like that for a year or more. I am not sure what it is from, but going to assume deer.

 

Bear or racoon damage maybe, except near the ground ?

 

Mark, 1 observation I would make from experience is that the grass around the tree
looks like it is reducing water flow to the roots. As you know maples have fibrous roots
nearer the surface (not a tap root like an oak etc) and I notice several good-sized
roots have broken the surface looking for water. Your leaves could be showing moisture loss. I had a 12X12 Bloodgood planted beneath grass and after a dry winter
the leaves scorched and looked horrible for the whole year. I took out the grass and
put ground bark around the tree in a 3-4 ft diamter and mounded it up so that
watering the bark would create good moisture and worms (aeration) for the roots and
the tree looks much better. Your tree looks healthy enough but I worry as well about
that split bark and what may be lawn mower damage shown near the trunk base.
Those are places where insects can enter and kill a tree. It's hard to believe but as
big as trees are, they are delicate and can be hurt by little things.
Anyway, I hope I helped and wish you the best of good luck with your lovely tree!

 

You may want to look at this article sometime.

Managing Manganese Deficiency in Nursery Production of Red Maple

Jim