Any Japanese Maple (tree) experts?

[Scooby074]

I was just getting ready to plant the Japanese Maple I just bought (for $70!!) and noticed something that didnt look right. Wish I caught it at the store!

It looks like a piece of deadwood or some sort of scab where the main trunk branches out. Is this normal? Is it some sort of a graft? The branch above the dead wood looks good, and there are lots of leaves, but I got a fear that this will be a weakspot and that limb will break off sometime in the future.

Is it something to be concerned about? Should I return the tree? I bought it because it was the tallest (by about 1') and figured I scored a strong tree because of it being taller... But I think I made a mistake. Do home centers generally take back trees or is this something Im stuck with?

 

[CowboyRon]

I'm sure you could take it back and exchange it with no questions asked. The tree looks healthy except for that one spot, I just think it got damaged somehow.
What part of the country are you in? Right now is not a good time to plant a tree in Texas due to the brutal summers. It's best to plant in the fall, so the roots can get established while the tree is dormant in the winter.
I hope this helps

 

[Scooby074]

I'm sure you could take it back and exchange it with no questions asked. The tree looks healthy except for that one spot, I just think it got damaged somehow.
What part of the country are you in? Right now is not a good time to plant a tree in Texas due to the brutal summers. It's best to plant in the fall, so the roots can get established while the tree is dormant in the winter.
I hope this helps

Ron, Im in Nova Scotia. Our summers are a bit mellower than Texas' Spring is the best time to plant here.

I think I;ll go in and talk to the manager of the garden centre tomorrow and see what she says. Its an expensive tree and Id hate to see something happen and it loose a limb 10 years from now when it is wall established. I imagine she will have no issue taking it back should I want to go that route.

 

[Fossil Farm]

Looks like the main leader died at some point and now you have 2 side leaders, creating a weak spot in that crotch. I would hope they will swap it for a better specimen, or give you a good discount. Good luck.

 

[murphy1244]

I would take it back.

 

[Western]

I agree, take it back. That looks like it was hit by a forklift or something in the past, sure can see that one side looks dead or dying. I have 3 Japanese Maples and none look like that. Definitely damaged.

Curious, How could you not see that damage at the store?? and I am surprised they where trying to sell it for that much in that condition. FWIW:They seem to grow fairly quick so pick a nice one with good form and not so much the "biggest".

 

[CowboyRon]

Ron, Im in Nova Scotia. Our summers are a bit mellower than Texas' Spring is the best time to plant here.

I think I;ll go in and talk to the manager of the garden centre tomorrow and see what she says. Its an expensive tree and Id hate to see something happen and it loose a limb 10 years from now when it is wall established. I imagine she will have no issue taking it back should I want to go that route.

I'm sure you won't have any trouble on the return, and I'm sure you will have peace of mind with the new tree. It does have very beautiful color.
Good luck.

 

[Scooby074]

Curious, How could you not see that damage at the store?? and I am surprised they where trying to sell it for that much in that condition.

It was raining. The shipment had arrived that morning and was still sort of clustered. It was the only shipment the store was getting, only 8 trees for the season. From the back side there is bark... of course the back side was what was facing out of the cluster!

I was in a bit of a hurry.. Was happy to think I was getting "the best" because it was tallest.. And Ive been wanting a JM since last season, but they were all sold out. Its 100% my fault.

 

[Western]

In that case, they may not have seen the damage either. They should be able to also return it (or get a credit) from their supplier.

 

[Scooby074]

Got a new tree!
Wasn't without a bit of work however. Originally they thought I was trying to return the tree for frost damage and they wouldnt take it back! But once I showed them the trunk damage, they said it should never have been shipped to the store, and agreed to take it back.

Ironically there was a second three there with similar damage. I took the last remaining tree that had a good, clean trunk, although it wasnt as tall as the first two.