A better question might be what's right with that tree? I don't mean to be facetious but that poor thing has all kinds of issues, the most obvious being some serious trunk wounds. And some really strange branching.

Has it always looked like that? Where are you? Did you have a bad winter? What did the tree look like before this? Can you take a photo that shows the tree in its entirety?

This is what Orangeola should look like in form and with its summer finery on.

Thanks for replying. We bought this tree at a local nursery 10 months ago and had a landscaper plant it for us. I guess my real question is whether or not the tree can be saved or should it be replaced. We live in northern Virginia.

The damage on that trunk happened much more than 10 months ago and the nursery had to know that, yet it had no qualms selling it to you. Much of the wound is well on its way to being sealed off but that doesn't mean it will be ok. Any guarantee?

tj

Thanks to both of you for your advice! It has a one year guarantee, so I will dig it up today and return it. Your advice has been very helpful!

It looks to me like some of the top has died off, and the remaining live trunk is back budding in an effort to keep the tree alive. I have an Autumn Moon Maple (A. Shirasawanum) in the same boat.