sad Japanes Red Maple

[lucyskull]

Hello! I planted a Weeping Japanese Red Maple last fall. I used compost and lots of mulch. The winter was not a particularly bad one by Boston standards. However, once spring came only the bottom half of the tree sprouted leaves. These look healthy - red at first and now some are green. The top half of the tree is still bare. Is there still hope for my little tree? Is there something I can do to help it along? The tree gets*only some*afternoon sun, is sheltered from the wind and last time I checked the soil (several years ago) it's pH was close to neutral.

[Newt]

My first thought is your tree is possibly planted too deep and the rootflare is buried and/or there is too much mulch.* Here's some handy sites for you to check to see if that is the problem.
http://www.mygardenguide.com/care/Ro...0disorders.pdf
http://www.tlcfortrees.info/planting%20depth.htm
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/overmulched.html
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/pla...ees/f1147w.htm
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.aspx


My second thought is root damage during transplant or the tree was so rootbound that it can't take up water in the center of the rootball.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/rootg...ontainers.html

Here's a great site about Japanese maples.* Do read the Articles, FAQ's and How To.
http://www.mountainmaples.com/WS4D_C..._15/index.html

Newt