u/GroundbreakingHorse8

Transplanted a young maple last year. I started exposing the base today because I wasn’t seeing any root flare at soil level. I’ve now dug down about 6 inches and the trunk is still straight like a pencil with no flare visible, at least I think. Only fine feeder roots all around the trunk.

Is this a clear case of being planted too deep? Should I have the original installers come back and re‑set the tree at the correct height? Tree was looking good last year, but this week the leaves are a bit droopy.

Looking for professional guidance on whether this needs to be corrected now and the best way to do it.