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Post by kazedwards on May 30, 2016 20:47:49 GMT -5
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Post by nathanp on May 30, 2016 21:19:12 GMT -5
How deep is the root collar (where the soil level should be)? It is possible it is planted too deep. I can't tell from the picture, and the mulch is blocks the image. It could very well be from all the rain, most trees like the soil to dry out.
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Post by kazedwards on May 30, 2016 22:13:29 GMT -5
The top of the soil in the pot is maybe 6" down with 3-4" of mulch. I dug the hole deeper and wider too. I used a tree and shrub mix with the soil from the hole to fill in the sides.
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Post by philagardener on May 31, 2016 5:55:57 GMT -5
Trees should be planted at the same level as they came, or a bit higher, for a bit of root flare. There is a school of thought where soil amendments are kept to a minimum so the roots grow out into the soil rather than circling in the hole. You also don't want to mulch right to the trunk as that traps moisture and can lead to disease.
I think you are right in your concern about the roots, compounded by all your rain. The wilting suggests the root hairs have died so it can't take up water. That planting hole even might have helped collect and hold water. Did it come with a replacement policy? (Many nurseries and big box stores will replace if a plant fails in the first year.) A compounding issue may be that the plant had been stressed when you purchased it and once it completely leafed out, it didn't have a root system that could supply its growing water needs. Getting trees established often is challenging in the best of conditions if the stock isn't in good shape. Good luck!
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Post by kazedwards on May 31, 2016 16:31:26 GMT -5
Is it done for them? I would be willing to dig it up and replant if that would help it. It is a very special tree to my wife and I. We have been trying to have children for over three years and have had two miscarriages. That tree was a symbol of those miscarriages being put to rest.
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Post by steev on May 31, 2016 18:09:14 GMT -5
Sorry to hear all that; wishing you totally better luck henceforth.
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Post by nathanp on May 31, 2016 22:18:06 GMT -5
I would consider either raising the height, moving it, or removing the soil down to the collar. If the bark has not rotted off above the collar, it may be possible to save it. It is not an easy choice, since moving it is not without risk as well. But probably better than leaving it as is, in my opinion.
Yes, ideally you should plant the root ball slightly higher than the surrounding soil.
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Post by kazedwards on May 31, 2016 22:54:02 GMT -5
Well in the morning I will remove the soil down to the collar. Depending on how deep that is I will think about moving it.
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Post by kazedwards on May 31, 2016 22:57:22 GMT -5
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Post by steev on Jun 1, 2016 0:43:22 GMT -5
Life is a chancy situation, as those of us involved in landrace gardening know; still there are more serious issues than crop failure; one hopes you can bear up; I'm sure the community here is with you. I doubt not that our Great Mother is in favor of your success.
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Post by nathanp on Jun 1, 2016 5:24:44 GMT -5
Also, just so you don't feel too badly, I've seen landscapers make the same mistake.
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Post by kazedwards on Jun 1, 2016 11:05:18 GMT -5
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Post by reed on Jun 1, 2016 12:08:15 GMT -5
Man, that's a tough one. I don't generally give advice on such matters, well just because, but I'm making an exception. That tree don't look good at all almost to the point I would give up on it but this is a special case so this is what I would do if it was me.
I doubt fertilizer would really help and the rest of it's roots are still what, four or five inches under where they were in the pot? Was it in a pot or root balled? With all the rain you have been getting the planting hole may be just filling with and holding water. It is a dangerous proposition for the tree but I would dig it completely up and replant level with the top of the ground, maybe even a 1/2 to an inch higher. No fertilizers, if rot is the problem it needs new roots not growth.
Depending on how wet the soil is I might not even water it or if so sparingly. It needs to dry out a little to heal and regrow roots. The leaves it has now are most likely going to turn brown or drop off. It could be going into a period where it will probably look dead but if it has enough stored energy to re-sprout roots it could pull through. Don't make the hole much bigger than the root ball and don't put any other kind of filler soil between it and the edges of the hole. Just the same dirt you took out. If later it leafs back out and you can nurse it through this summer it might have a chance. After that some good mulch in winter, not too close to the trunk and watering during dry spells for next couple seasons might get it back in shape.
Don't give up even if it doesn't regrow leaves this season, it might not be impossible that it could go dormant and bud back out next year.
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Post by kazedwards on Jun 1, 2016 12:59:15 GMT -5
Man, that's a tough one. I don't generally give advice on such matters, well just because, but I'm making an exception. That tree don't look good at all almost to the point I would give up on it but this is a special case so this is what I would do if it was me. I doubt fertilizer would really help and the rest of it's roots are still what, four or five inches under where they were in the pot? Was it in a pot or root balled? With all the rain you have been getting the planting hole may be just filling with and holding water. It is a dangerous proposition for the tree but I would dig it completely up and replant level with the top of the ground, maybe even a 1/2 to an inch higher. No fertilizers, if rot is the problem it needs new roots not growth. Depending on how wet the soil is I might not even water it or if so sparingly. It needs to dry out a little to heal and regrow roots. The leaves it has now are most likely going to turn brown or drop off. It could be going into a period where it will probably look dead but if it has enough stored energy to re-sprout roots it could pull through. Don't make the hole much bigger than the root ball and don't put any other kind of filler soil between it and the edges of the hole. Just the same dirt you took out. If later it leafs back out and you can nurse it through this summer it might have a chance. After that some good mulch in winter, not too close to the trunk and watering during dry spells for next couple seasons might get it back in shape. Don't give up even if it doesn't regrow leaves this season, it might not be impossible that it could go dormant and bud back out next year. Thank you. I will dig and replant it tomorrow. Do you think it is possible to take a cutting? |
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Post by philagardener on Jun 1, 2016 18:53:04 GMT -5
Trees like this are often grafted (in fact, that may be the graft union on the trunk a few inches up from the root ball).
The weather has been very challenging this year, and by the time a tree crashes like that it is often too late. Good luck!
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