|
| Hi, this is my first time posting here, so keep in mind I'm a noob.
Last Saturday (5/5/12) I planted a 5" caliper, 18-20' tall Bur Oak in my back yard. It was B&B and had been out of the ground for close to a month. The root ball was 50" across and 3' deep, tapered. It has been just over a week since I planted the tree, and now I am worried that something is wrong. The leaves are all turning brown and shriveling. We have had a crazy amount of rain since I planted it, not to mention I watered it like crazy the day that I planted it. Would this be as a result of too much water? This is my first time planting a tree, so I really have no clue. I definitely don't want it to die, so please help. I have posted pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20807577@N07/sets/72157629707692920/ If there is a way to post them here, let me know. Thanks! |
Here is a link that might be useful: Images of the tree
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| Hey Daniel, you did good for a first post. You even included picture! Nothing wrong sticks out to me from what you wrote and showed us, but I do have a few questions that might lead to something: 1. Tell us about how you planted the tree, including as many details as you feel are reasonable. Did you amend the soil that you used to put back around the tree in the planting hole? 2. Have you actually checked soil moisture down a few inches in the ground, both around and in the rootball? 3. How's the drainage where you planted the tree? 4. I noticed the grass in that area looks sparse. Is that because of pet damage, poor soil/drainage, or what? |
|
- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Sun, May 13, 12 at 11:30
| why was it out of the ground.. presumably with the rootball exposed for a month ... ??? that alone is enough to make every leaf fall off ... i dont know how you get past that EXTREME STRESS .. and then wonder if water is an issue ... and where are you.. and why would i treat you differently because its your first post... dont have time to look at all the pix.. over the hills and thru the woods to grandmothers house we go .. which is my moms .. if i need clarify ... ken |
|
- Posted by strobiculate none (My Page) on Sun, May 13, 12 at 12:09
| ken...it's not uncommon for a tree dub b&b to be held out of the ground for an extended period. actually...that's kinda the process of b&b too much water generally causes a wilty appearance and yellowing of older leaves. although that would be the first thing to check, aa mentioned above. what comes to mind based on description and pics has more to do with environmemt and physiology. on the other hand...Q. macros are subject to a number of things that can make the foliage look funny but that don't really bothrler the tree. |
|
- Posted by wisconsitom 4/5 WI (My Page) on Sun, May 13, 12 at 13:12
| I'd first point out that a 5 inch caliper is a big move. Nearly all of us agree that generally, moving smaller stock is much more successful. The fact that it started browning up after the transplant-is this assumption correct?-makes me think it may have been well-rooted into the mulch or whatever material it was healed in at the nursery. This too is commonplace. So if I'm right so far, it is experiencing high amounts of transplant shock due to being a rather large tree that has, like all transplants, lost most of its functional root capacity. No amount of watering will make up for this root loss, although no water at all will, of course, hasten its demise. So, I doubt you've over-watered per se, but I'm thinking it's just having a tough time without a decent root system. If there's sufficient reserve energy stored in the remaining roots and other tree parts, it may be albe to produce new foliage. +oM |
|
| Almost a month ago, I planted a thirty gallon container, young, Bur Oak that measured 8'2" tall, 3.5" diameter, and 5'6" drip line, in my front yard. The soil here in Watauga, TX is generally dry most of the time and full of rocks/fossils (prior to housing development here it was, rocks, cattle, weeds, and Mesquite trees - no farming of crops due to poor soil - ROCKS!), and use of a pick is necessary to dig here. Now some of my leaves are turning yellow, and some have turned brown and fall off on the touch. However, it is only a few. I googled images and the closest thing I could find was Bur Oak Blight (a fungus!). My hopes are that it is just a temporary shock due to the new, poor soil. I do water (slow drain from hose up-slope, for over an hour or until it runs over the sidewalk, which is down-slope of the tree) at least every five days, unless we get a GOOD LONG rain. Anyone know about or how planting shock symptoms present themselves? Or perhaps just over watering/under watering? Thanks for any input/knowledge. |
|
- Posted by franktank232 z5 WI (My Page) on Mon, Jun 18, 12 at 1:00
| That is a huge tree to be planting. Wow. Impressive. Just my opinion, but I really think you'll have to give it a winter and see what it looks like next spring when everything buds out. At that point i think you'll know what you have (a dead tree/a living tree)... Just keep it moist (not too moist) and keep your fingers crossed. |
|
- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Mon, Jun 18, 12 at 8:26
| frank... stm is piggy backing on an old post.. the pix are not related to his recent query ... stm.. its good to see you searching for an old answer.. but after that.. you should start your own post.. mostly so replies come to you.. rather than OP dan ... BTW dan.. whats the update on your project .. ken |
|
| I worked for a college landscaping department years ago moving trees about this size in the fall and spring in east Texas. The survival rate was not good, probably less than 1/2 still alive after 2 years. Keep flooding it with water about twice a week thru the summer. Hopefully it will make it. At the rule of thumb of 10 gallons per inch of trunk, you should be watering at least 50 gallons per time, but with the height, more like two or three times that amount seems called for. Good luck. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Trees Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.