Help! I'm trying to save a Japanese Maple from dying!

5 years ago

I saved a mature Japanese Maple from a construction sight and was going to take a trip to the dump the next day. It had been uprooted (appears more like torn out)of the ground the day prior, laid on its side and what was left of the roots exposed to the unusually warm, for this time of year, heat(70-ish F) Inimmediately asked the foremanif incould take it home and try to save it and he did not have a problem with it.. I immed. stood it and braced it upright and covered what I could of the roots. then watered it. After work loaded it in the back of my truck with as much soil and mulch because it was there in a pile and easily loaded, as I could , watered it and wrapped the roots in plastic, covered the rest of it with a light tarp to protect it and slowly made my way home. Now what?! I need to find a place for it, I cant dig a hole tonight it is too late . what do I do for the next couple days while I prepare a spot? will it recover? Was it worth the time spent and trouble getting it loaded and home? Well to me it was, I love trees and I can say I tried! Please help, any information and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

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Comments (4)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
There is not much you can do at this point other than to get it into the ground ASAP and hope for the best. Keep out of direct sun, keep the roots protected and moist. Don't overwater.

Japanese maples are tougher trees than many imagine, but this one has the odds stacked against it - wrong time of year, indelicate removal from the ground, roots exposed to air and drying and a delayed replant..........I'd give it maybe a 50-50 chance.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
how about a pic ... dont be surprised if it drops all the leaves.. if it doesnt.. you are winning ...

no sun until it grows some new roots ... did you properly prune any broken roots ...

the key here.. is you are trying.. win or lose.. you will learn something ... so relish the challenge.. but dont set your hopes too high ...

below is a general planting guide for trees .. if its small enough.. a pot might be best until fall ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
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Marlo Lauritzen-Garcia
Original Author
5 years ago
thanks for the comments, I have it in the ground after properly pruning off dead and broken branches. I had thought of putting it in a pot temp, but no way! too large for anything, I barely had room in the back of my truck for the roots and i dont want to remove anymore than are already gone from being torn out of the ground. i will post a pic and update as soon as i can, thanks!
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
5 years ago
Be thinking about how you can rig up some shade for it- sheets, stakes, and clothespins work really well in a pinch.

I have moved JMs in the heat of July and had them do well as long as I shade them for a few weeks. Of course mine weren't rudely ripped out but still- shade helps.

Remember to water deeply- this is not a walk by with a hose but a hose on a slow trickle left to lie there for 30 minutes or so. Make sure the water is actually penetrating and not merely running off.