Red Maples

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MollyMc Archer/Bronson, FL(Zone 8b) Apr 30, 2006

I purchased and put in 2 of these trees and they seem to be growing a little odd. Maybe I should be trimming them. I just don't know.

This is the first time I have ever bought young trees (regular kind) to put in the yard in anticipation of a shade canopy at some future date. I am totally unfamiliar with the raising of these.

Please take a look and tell me what you think. I'll post one tree photo here. Both trees look pretty much the same. One is planted in the front yard, one in the back.
They both have very healthy looking branches growing out of the trunk way down low. They have a sparse area mid trunk and then some skinny branches a little higher up.

I put both of these in the same day in late January or early February.

Thanks for any help.
Molly
:^)))

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Post #2235148
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StarhillForest Illinois, IL(Zone 5b) Apr 30, 2006

Hi Molly --

The first thing to consider, unrelated to the branches, is if everything was done right during the planting (not planted too deep, any cirlcing roots spread or cut, etc.).

If your red maple was a grafted cultiver, the low branches might be coming from below the graft and should be removed. And even if it's a seed-grown tree (not grafted), you should remove them to help the tree assume a better form. If they are growing vigorously and the top part of the tree is not, check to make sure there are no injuries or cankers on the trunk that might be affecting the top growth.

But don't cut them off now -- give them a chance to make "food" for the tree this year to help it recover from the transplanting shock, then cut them this fall. You also can pinch off the growing tips of the low branches to slow them down and direct the tree's energy toward the top.

Guy S.

Post #2235925
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MollyMc Archer/Bronson, FL(Zone 8b) Apr 30, 2006

Guy,

Thanks so much for the advice. I believe I followed the planting instructions properly. I can't find the receipt for these trees, but I probably got them from Lowe's and the receipt is in my construction folder which would not give any details anyway.

I just don't know if they were grafted or not. I will follow your advice and wait until fall to do any trimming. My fall being a little different than yours, which month would you suggest.

We generally don't get any freezing air temps until December and the ground never freezes here.

Molly
:^)))

Post #2235967
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ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) May 01, 2006

MollyMc:

If you don't already know of Dr. Ed Gilman's work from UF, here's a link.

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/pruning/index.htm

He is one of the top researchers on current techniques to properly prune and prepare trees for long life. If it isn't here, it may not be necessary.

Post #2236845
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MollyMc Archer/Bronson, FL(Zone 8b) May 01, 2006

Thanks so much. I've got some reading to do.

Molly
:^)))

Post #2236965
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