Checking Survival of Newly Planted Maples in Spring

Scratch Test for Live Tissue

Four of six maples (4 silver, 2 red) planted a month ago in Richmond, VA show no buds. To test viability:

1. Scrape bark on a twig tip with a knife.
2. Green = alive; brown = dead at that point.
3. Work downward until green appears. Prune off dead portions.

Next Steps

• If green tissue exists: water weekly (1 inch), mulch, wait 2–3 more weeks.
• If no green: tree is dead. Contact nursery for warranty replacement (most guarantee 1 year).
• Smaller trees often leaf out first due to better root-to-shoot balance.