Just from the coloration of the bark of all three trunks, they appear to be winter damaged. In addition, under that bark there is cambium damage.

I wouldn't expect your tree to live in zone three over further time. Acer pseudosieboldianum is hardy to zone 4 and not 3.

It's suffering is the base line.

Dax

Tough climate for the snakebark maples...even Korean Maple. Bark damage like that is usually associated with winter sun scald and is more common on thin barked species. The bark damage in your photo is not new and has started to heal over. Your tree will likely be fine though you'll probably have to manage winter kill periodically with pruning and you'll still see new sun scald damage in the years going forward. Hopefully its vigour outpaces winter damage.

Zone 3, whether using the Canadian or US hardiness maps is -35 to -40 in C or F. Those temps would be pushing the limits. I'd say you tree is exhibiting winter injury.

Thanks for the replies. I'm not in any hurry for it to grow. There is a branch coming off the "dead" trunk that has leaves, so I think I will leave it for now and see what develops next spring. It is rated as a zone 3 tree around here and I do have a five year warranty. It will probably live to be 5 years and 1 day!

You know it pretty well don't ya? That's great stuff.

Dax

A FIVE YEAR WARRANTY !!!???

Yep, if you buy the Myke ... Figured it was a no brainer on a tree like this for an extra $15

I am in Calgary and am about to plant aKorean Maple too.
I don’t claim to know anything but since you posted thought my research might help.
I’m told maples like acidic soil, so I’d test your soil and if it’s too alkaline, if it’s not 7 or under, start to adjust slowly, even an 8 isn’t good enough.
I intend to put a block around my tree on all 4 sides to shade from winter scotching and winter winds for 3-4 years.
It’s been suggested to add sulphur each year....how much, I’m not sure ( will figure out by next spring )
I also don’t intend on cutting/ trimming / shaping any time soon, until it’s established.
My tree is 8’ out of the pot.

If anyone has suggestions before I plant or location, please share. I’m trying to do my DD.
Thanks,
Elisabeth

Tough climate for the snakebark maples...even Korean Maple

Snake-bark maples don't produce palmate leaves

My experience has the Palmata section good to at least a pH of 7.5. They are not fans of wet feet or drought so in Calgary, don't plant near a seep or low spot and provide supplemental water when it's been dry and windy for a few days.

If you add elemental sulfur, it is difficult to overdo it. The acidification process is biological and pretty slow and the 7.5+ pH soils that we want to drop the pH in are usually heavily buffered anyway and resist pH changes.

The link below has some numbers...it looks like dropping the pH of 7.0 loam to 6.0 takes 1000 lbs/acre which is 10 grams/ft2. Also says don't apply more than 400 lbs/acre at a time to established plantings (4 grams/ft2).

https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/files/Lowering_Soil_pH_with_Sulfur.pdf

This is an old thread but I'm wondering whether anyone in the Manitoba/Alberta/Saskatchewan area have seen these for sale.

I've learned of some gorgeous specimens right here in Saskatoon, but have been unable to find a tree for sale for the life of me. I've sourced a potential vendor in Edmonton but they received a mere 3 trees and are out of stock already.