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Dead Red Maple-why?

13 years ago

I have two red maple trees in my front yard. Both were planted at the same time as transplanted NJ saplings when I was a child 50 years ago. They have lived side by side all that time, experiencing the same elements and the same care. Last fall, they looked exactly the same and both seemed healthy.

One of them survived the last frosty winter (as expected) and is quickly filling out with new leaves.

But the other one is devoid of leaves and I very much fear that it is dead.

Why? Why would one tree die and the other live? I see no evidence of trauma or disease, but I am no expert. What could cause this? Is age a factor at all? Do maple trees die of old age?

And might it mean that I will soon lose the other one?

Having grown up with these trees, it is much like losing a brother...

Your comments and suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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Comment (1)

Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
13 years ago
There is not always a visible reason. Perhaps the dead tree had some wound to its root system no one ever saw. Then when the winter was cold it had xx% less energy available to overcome.

I insist trees of various species do have an average life span. Someone shows you a Sequoia that is 300 years old and no one is impressed. Someone finds a 300 year old Cercis canadensis L. (Eastern Redbud) and they just might make the newspaper.
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