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| I received a couple of pecan trees in the mail last week. They weren't bare-root, but weren't potted either--sort of in between, with roots and dirt wrapped up in plastic. They are 3-4 feet tall. They both looked pretty good the day they arrived.
I planted the smaller tree the very next day, and the larger one the day after. But even on the day I planted it, the leaves on the smaller tree were starting to dry up and wilt. I've been watering it regularly, and the leaves just don't look very good. The larger tree looks a bit better, and I'm less concerned about it. Should I try to prune off any of the branches or remove any of the leaves on the smaller tree? Is there anything to be seriously concerned about at this point? Thanks for any info. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by cearbhaill Zone 6b Eastern KY (My Page) on Wed, Oct 24, 12 at 8:04
| Don't prune anything. It's just transplant shock- assuming you planted it correctly the most you can do is keep it well hydrated without drowning it and keep your fingers crossed until spring. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Wed, Oct 24, 12 at 8:13
| it always mystifies me.. than when a leaf wilts.. old school peeps want to go cutting off arms and legs.. crimminey ... right up there with 'bleeding' peeps back in the olden days ... its not just transplant shock only .. add unpotting shock.. packing shock.. mailing shock .. planting shock.. etc ... they are deciduous.. they are supposed to lose their leaves this time of year ... a good supplier.. waited until he felt the plants were dormant.. and that is why he shipped now ... so.. dont worry about it ... and do understand.. the reason the leaves change color in fall.. is because the tree went dormant a week or so earlier ... [yeah i know.. i am exaggerating .. lol] ... regardless .. as noted.. keep it PROPERLY watered.. which means deep soakings and not watering again until the soils feels dry ??? .. along with a nice layer of mulch ... good luck ken ps: no!! .. it does not need to be fed.. NO FERT ... |
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| OK, thanks for the helpful info, cearbhaill and Ken! |
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| I had a similar issue with a small ash last year. I thought it was a goner Bc it was getting crispy but this spring it grew by leaps and bounds with a couple inches of dieback. It should be fine. |
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- Posted by texasredhead z8Texas (My Page) on Fri, Oct 26, 12 at 16:01
| Pecans have a particular long taproot. To properly plant a pecan you might use a post hole digger because that taproot needs to be straight. If they are 3-4 ft tall, the taproot should be at least 2'. |
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| Thanks for the extra info, jqpublic and texasredhead. I did dig extra deep holes for both, so hopefully that will help concerning the taproot. |
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- Posted by texasredhead z8Texas (My Page) on Sat, Oct 27, 12 at 12:50
| Let me share a little light-hearted humor. Anyone who wants a pecan, pronounced pawcahn, not peecan, which goes under bed, has never lived under one. We inherited two when we bought our Texas mansion 42 years ago. There is something falling off those two trees nearly constantly. If you really want pecans you must have no trouble shooting squirrels or at least trapping them and transporting them across town. However, you can get very nice bags of shelled pecans at Costco for about $10.00. |
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| Well, there's another solution: dogs. :) We have a lot of trees, but almost no squirrels because the dogs keep them away. Incidentally, what did you mean by a pecan that "goes under bed"? Just curious. |
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- Posted by cearbhaill Zone 6b Eastern KY (My Page) on Thu, Nov 1, 12 at 8:26
| Chamber pot. |
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- Posted by purpleinopp 8b AL (My Page) on Thu, Nov 1, 12 at 11:08
| The leaves have been gone from the pecan trees in this area for a couple weeks, longer for some trees. I wouldn't do anything to any newly-planted baby tree this time of year, just let it get its' roots settled over winter. I'm curious why you needed to order pecan trees in the mail? Our tree paid for all of our Christmas shopping last year... |
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| I wouldn't do anything to any newly-planted baby tree this time of year, just let it get its' roots settled over winter. Thanks, purpleinopp. That was my goal, but some of the branches were hanging so badly (to the extent that they would never "grow back") that I just snipped them off. I didn't want to, but there was no real alternative. I guess all the shipping and handling had really banged them up. I'm curious why you needed to order pecan trees in the mail? Well, I had thought about getting some pecan trees e-mailed to me, but I figured my connection might be a little slow. ;) Seriously, I have no idea where else to find them. I live in a rural area. Besides, oftentimes you get a much better selection online anyway, and it can also save you time. Our tree paid for all of our Christmas shopping last year... Cool! Any chance it might pay for some of my Christmas shopping this year too? ;) LOL. |
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| cearbhaill wrote: Chamber pot. Isn't that the same thing as a portable toilet? :) |
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- Posted by purpleinopp 8b AL (My Page) on Fri, Nov 2, 12 at 9:15
| "Any chance it might pay for some of my Christmas shopping this year too?" Um, I hope you have other plans! I'm sure you're right about greater selection from ordering... and you should know what kind they are that way. What kind did you get? Don't know which exact tree is in our yard but the nuts are huge, which makes them easier to pick up. Hope your trees grow like crazy next summer! |
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| Um, I hope you have other plans! Well, I definitely have other plants! ;) What kind did you get? Caddo and Elliott. Don't know which exact tree is in our yard but the nuts are huge, which makes them easier to pick up. Do you have just one variety? Hope your trees grow like crazy next summer! Thanks--right now, I'm just hoping they make it through the winter. :) |
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- Posted by purpleinopp 8b AL (My Page) on Thu, Nov 8, 12 at 9:22
| Yes, there's a GIANT tree in the back yard and a smaller one out front, both are the same kind of really big nuts. This whole area is packed with pecan trees, though. All different types. The small ones are too much work, IMO, picking them up, and cracking/shelling enough for whatever I'm baking. |
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| Thanks for the pic. Those look like handsome pecans! :) Incidentally, all the flimsy branches came off one of my new pecan trees (through heavy wind, I believe). But when I scratch the trunk, it still looks nice and green, so hopefully the tree will be fine. |
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- Posted by purpleinopp 8b AL (My Page) on Tue, Nov 13, 12 at 15:56
| Yes, these are awesome nuts. Wishing the best for your tree, and eventually a similar handful of yummy-ness! And, of course, posterity should appreciate your nuts! |
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