Dying Siver Maple???

[Kari]

My boss has a silver maple in her yard that is 75-100 years old. The tree has leafed out but the leaves are very few and very small. Apparently the tree is putting out a lot of seeds and she wonders if the tree is dying or just exerting all its energy to producing seeds. The tree is located in lower Michigan.

 

[Deere John]

If I heard right, Mich. has had a dry spring. In that case, all other aspects being "normal", I'd agree that the tree is under some moisture stress and is therefore putting more of its finite energy resources into key production. Don't worry, maybe even water the tree.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

There is a theory coming around that the past few years of drought have damaged the root systems of this lowland species, and the decline is staring to show.

If the leaves are pail, a low N fert with micro nutrients may help. water regulary with a deep penetrating soak.