I rescued a tree; can it be saved?

[Beth_B]

Client dug up and was throwing away a little ornamental Japanese maple because the top leaves were dying off. As you can see, they lopped the whole top off but the tree is still putting out a few shoots and there seems enough of a root ball to be viable? I just brought it home.

I am not that knowledgeable about trees, but I hated to see it be thrown out. I have lots of space and can plunk it somewhere sunny and see what happens if it's got a chance. Any ideas or tips?

 

[marlingardener]

Japanese maples appreciate some shade. If you don't plant it, it certainly will not survive, so give it a shot. I'd keep it well watered but not soggy, in morning sun/afternoon shade, and never expect it to be perfectly shaped. The final shape could be interesting, though.

 

[Beth_B]

Yay! Shade I have really a lot of. Rain too. I've just been reading up on them.
I will plant it somewhere in the morning - somewhere in my back yard, I think.
I just hated to see that poor wee thing struggling to put out new growth despite being beheaded, and sitting at the curb for the trash truck. I do not live in a perfectly-manicured neighborhood, to say the least so I will put it in the ground and see what happens.
I have a maple tree that at some point before I bought this place fell over onto the ground and started growing from a horizontal position in my back yard. I have resisted all efforts to get me to remove it because I think it it sort of charming and brave that it just keeps growing like that.

 

[DeborahJane]

I'm with you BethB. I have a rhododendron which was a bit of an ugly duckling. I moved it several times and it just kept on growing but still not pretty!! I couldn't bring myself get rid of it. It would be like disowning a child just cause it wasn't pretty enough!!! It grew like it was against a wall so I decided to position it against a nice metal screen and pretended I'd always intended it to be espaliered. I've also planted a clematis with it so it looks like I designed It, I like to think. This is a big secret so its just between us!!! Not at its best now but I'll post a photo when it flowers.
Good luck with your " Anne Boleyn Maple". Most unkind thing to do to any one or any plant.

 

[Everbrown]

I'd plant it also. Spread the roots out , give some good soil and see what happens.

 

[Beth_B]

You people are gardeners after my own heart.

@DeborahJane, it took me a minute to get the Anne Boleyn reference! And I also have a rhododendron bush that someone was throwing out and I felt sorry for - I'm glad I rescued it because it's one of the first things to flower in my yard with a mass of dark pink blooms.

 

[PipGirl]

Way to go Beth - good luck with your fledgling tree. I'm glad you rescued it!
I was thinking about planting a fig tree in my yard. My grandmother who I barely knew, had a fig tree growing on her roof in New York City. Surely it would grow in Massachusetts ! . My visions of making fig jam are a bit premature I guess . . .

 

[grouie]

Hope it will survive.

 

[Beth_B]

@PipGirl, a fig tree would be awesome! I just realized - I'm about to get some dead and sick trees removed and many large branches trimmed because I'm complaining about having too much shade, and here I am about to plant another tree. Oh well, it doesn't look as if it's going to provide much shade any time soon LOL.

 

[DeborahJane]

You people are gardeners after my own heart.

@DeborahJane, it took me a minute to get the Anne Boleyn reference! And I also have a rhododendron bush that someone was throwing out and I felt sorry for - I'm glad I rescued it because it's one of the first things to flower in my yard with a mass of dark pink blooms.

It's saying thank you Beth B

 

[Beth_B]

Well my stick is in the ground now! I dug a big hole and mixed some "organic" fertilizer in with the soil. Just have to mulch it now. I put it where it will get lots of morning sun, but will be somewhat shaded in the afternoon.

I've named it Dave. Hopefully Dave makes it.

 

[Rudygar]

I'm so glad you're trying to save it. It looks like he really wants to live. It really sounds like your giving it a really good fighting chance with what you have done.

I feel so bad for sickly looking plants/trees. Don't let me look at the plants at Walmart, I want to save them all .

I hope you keep everyone updated on Dave.

 

[Fernsdaddy]

The best of luck to you and Dave, may he grow to be a fine looking tree.

 

[Beth_B]

@Rudygar , too funny....I rescue plants all the time and feel sorry for those poor Walmart ones too.
So far so good. Hard to tell since Dave is basically a stick in the ground (LOL) but the little leaves sprouting near the top are still alive.

 

[Rudygar]

@Beth_B , It's such a shame isn't it? I have asked a few times if they would reduce the price of a DEAD plant, but no, they never can, Even though i'm sure it just gets thrown away. A crime against nature!