Planting a sugarbush

[DRoseum]

It depends upon the soils and what the stress is. Maple trees have a high demand for calcium, so liming is often a good idea, but should only be done moderately. This will also increase the availability of many other nutrients.

The soil is clay and stress is from root disruption inside the drip line from a 24" deep x 4 inch wide trench cut between two mature trees for utilities. Leaves seemed slightly smaller and not as thick as in prior years. These red maple trees are along the edge of the woods. Based in southwest PA.

Would liming be appropriate for these conditions? Apply in spring? Before or after buds burst?

[DrTimPerkins]

The soil is clay and stress is from root disruption inside the drip line from a 24" deep x 4 inch wide trench cut between two mature trees for utilities. Leaves seemed slightly smaller and not as thick as in prior years. These red maple trees are along the edge of the woods. Based in southwest PA.

Would liming be appropriate for these conditions? Apply in spring? Before or after buds burst?

The symptoms may be due to the root injuries caused by the trenching. Trees generally try to keep a balance between the leaves and feeder roots to ensure there is enough root volume to support the leaves with nutrients and water. They may just be readjusting to the loss of roots, and put more energy into growing more roots to reestablish the correct balance with the crown. If they were healthy before, they'll likely come back, but a SMALL amount of pelletized dolomitic limestone applied in the winter/spring before budbreak is not likely to hurt any. Apply to an area up to 1.5-2x the crown width.

If the root injury was severe, not much you can do other than wait and see.