An Indiana homeowner turned to r/Arborists after becoming concerned about a tree in his front yard.

The picture shows a sparsely grown red maple sunset tree (Acer rubrum ‘franksred’) with drooping yellow leaves.

The original poster said when they moved in, the tree seemed fine. Now they are desperately trying to figure out what changed, whether it’s the dry Midwest summer, improper watering, or something else.

“Does anyone know what’s wrong with my tree and how to save it?” was the caption.

The reactions to the tree dilemma offered a wide range of diagnoses and solutions.

“Check the soil around the roots. You appear to be in a new development. Often times these spots are filled with poor soil that is hard and also waterlogs the roots,” suggested one Redditor.

Another said the tree was under-watered, while others said it could be the opposite, as both situations look the same.

One comment said to test the soil for root rot, another said it could be chemical drift.

The OP admitted to emptying a water softener salt container onto the lawn.

The red maple is native to eastern North America. Caring for and growing native plants saves you time, labor and money. They also require less water, fertilizer and pesticides.

Pollinators need more native plants to survive and do what they do best – feed the planet. The National Wildlife Federation reported that pollinators provide one-third of our food.

Check out the National Audubon Society’s Native Plants Database to find native plants from your area. If you’re not quite ready for a complete lawn makeover, start by restoring a small patch and reap the benefits.

From carpets of lawn and lawn-free to vegetable gardens, the possibilities are endless. Join the anti-lawn movement today.

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