Question
We have a large maple tree about 30 ft tall in our new lot.  I think it may have been smothered a bit by soil when the grading took place. Last year I tried to dig out around it and just filled the hole around it with large flat rocks to allow drainage through, but it's not blooming this year yet... Do you think it could be dead. The date here is June 25 and we are in Nova Scotia canada. Everything else is well on its way. Could it have died, is there anything I can do to help it just incase its not too late?

Answer
Hi JoAnne,
Thanx for your question.  Is the tree not leafing out at all?  Are all the other trees leafed out around it?  A maple should have leafed out by now.  Most of Nova Scotia to my knowledge is either Zone 5 or 6 and everything down here in Midwest USA is well leafed out.  Let me know.
Tom