clipster wrote:

I just purchased a 7 foot coral bark maple. It had a small root ball..about
15 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep. When I was planting the tree, first
the twine broke and then the burlap fell off. I noticed that the tree had
very lttle root system and was mostly in a heavy clay soil. I removed the
crap soil and planted the minimal root system in good soil.

I was surprised to find this tree with such a minimal root system. Normally
I don't even look when I plant balled plants. My question is: Has this tree
been "butchered" when the grower removed it from the ground and then tried
to cover up the problem with a large root ball?

Is it likely that the tree will survive? It doesn't look bad at all at this
point, but with such a little root system is there any chance it might
survive? Is this type of root ball typical from growers?

What you describe is perfectly normal for trees sold balled and burlapped. They
are typically grown in heavy clay soil for a number of reasons - they are easier
to harvest, clay soil contains a lot of nutrients and is moisture retentive, and
if the tree is properly cared for after harvest, that heavy clay protects the
root ball from damage. Root systems resulting from this type of process tend to
be smaller at planting time (as you noticed), but if obained from a quality
grower, usually are quite healthy and will take off quickly.

Larger Japanese maples are often sold this way or in large wooden boxes, seldom
ever by bare root. J. maples in particular are extremely sensitive to root
disturbance - you may have done it a serious disservice by removing the clay. In
the future, if you plant B&B trees or shrubs, leave the clay rootball intact.
Place the rootball - burlap and any ties in place - in the planting hole, site
the tree according to your preferences and then, gently remove all the ties and
fold back the burlap from the top and sides of the rootball making sure the clay
is undisturbed. Backfill and water in well.

For your maple, you might want to consider applying a transplant solution or
other root growth stimulator to counter the effects of the disturbance. Be sure
to pay close attention to watering but don't over do it. Japanese maples are
very susceptible to root pathogens - the damage to the root ball combined with
overwatering could prove fatal.

pam - gardengal