You would be surprised what trees can overcome. I would probably plant it in back and get another fro the front. You are smart to buy a small one. They actually grow faster than the bigger ones.

Thanks, Sherry. Not so much smart, although I did know that small ones will catch up just fine. Mostly it is due to the fact that I am 72 and not the hole digger, I used to be. ;-)

We must be twins! I'm 72, also.

I wish you could post a photo. Since the tree is small, it may releader and go on to develop a straight trunk over time.

I tried, but will try again. Nope, not working. It looks like it posts, but then the post shows up without the photos. Aaaaarrrrggghhh .

Bill, thanks. I have never had difficulty before. The photos just either aren't fully loading (after waiting just now for more than ten minutes) or there is a glitch with my account or my computer. Ugh. ETA: Tried on another forum, and same thing happened. I wait until the submit buttonturns dark green and then hit submit. Nada.

I have beat trees back with a weed eater before noticing what they are and deciding to let em live.

They would have been happier w/o but young healthy saplings are used to this.

So if your maple is otherwise healthy I think it will be ok. A proper pruning cut would help though.

Toronado, I will plant it and let it grow a bit. Then, if I ever get a photo to load, I will get your and others' advice on proper pruning. I have gotten better at that, but still not really proficient, or even decent to be honest. Sigh.

@ cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)Original Author

The only other thing I can think of is pictures that have a larger file size i.e. =>4800 x height can be a problem on this site.

I many times reduce the file size to something like 1800 W. x Height and haven't had a problem.

Also iphones have a default HEIC file type setting. Changing it to .png or .jpg might help.

Plant the tree and by the end of the season, you'll have a new leader that's twice as long as the old one. Small, healthy trees are not that fragile.

I take a sceen cap or use a phone program called Picsay to create medium sized versions of photos frequently if that helps.

As others have said, need a picture. Is there a pliable, skinny side branch you can bend upward to make a new leader with? You can fix broken/stunted/frost damaged leaders easily with a small but strong piece of bamboo and some plant tie ribbon. Or even by just tying that side branch to the remaining dead or broken nub of the original leader.

all trees releader ... even if you mow them over with the riding lawnmower in some drunken lawnmowing misadventure...

tree time is counted in decades.. give it 2 or 3 years to recover.. then do some pruning to train it back to one leader.. etc..

nbd ... imo .. wtf... obo.. bogo.. etc.. lol

ken