Question
Maples
We transplanted maples last year, this spring they looked dead, now I see new growth at the bottom. Should I cut them back, it's late June in Edmonton AB and we're new to planting trees.
AnswerFirst check to see if the branches are dead--start near the end of the branch and scrape a small bit of bark off and the color under the bark should be green if the branch is still alive. If the color is brown continue down the branch scraping at intervals until you find green or reach the main trunk. Then you can cut off the branches that are brown and dead. The roots are still alive and will sprout more stems but you may get several sprouts and after they grow for awhile you can cut the ones off you do not want and make a new tree with one trunk.
