Rob wrote:
> I planted a Golden Chain tree back in May. It was growing great up
> until about a 3 weeks to a month ago. It had all kinds of new growth
> and very full. Then all of a sudden the leaves started dying and
> dropping off. I've visually inspected it and found no trace of any
> bugs on it. The only thing I have noticed recently is a weed growing
> up around the base of the tree. When I first noticed it was very small
> and I just pulled it out. But yesterday I checked it and it had start
> filling in all around the base of the tree much thicker. Do you thing
> this weed could have something to do with the growth of the tree. I
> tried pulling it out, the leaves pulled up but it definitely did not
> get the root, must be below the surface several inches at least. If it
> is this weed causing the problems, how do I could about killing it
> without harming the tree? What else could it be if not the weed? It
> was growing so well for several months.
>
> Thanks for any help!
>
I doubt anything growing around the tree could hurt it unless you were
applying a weed control agent of some sort. Newly transplanted trees can
be fickle. Are all the leaves dying or just the older ones? I heard a
similar complaint on Gardening Crosstalk on CBC a couple weeks ago and
buddy said that the older leaves dying off weren't a concern...only if
all the leaves were dying...then the problem may be more systemic (and
even then the tree may come back next year no problem). They've
commented that bugs generally haven't been as big a problem this year.
Was it well watered when it was planted? Is it getting enough water now?
(The last two storms dumped a lot of water but most of it ran off and
didn't saturate much below two inches). Has it been properly fertilized?
Is the fertilizer for the lawn the wrong type for the tree? A high
nitrogen fertilizer (like you might use on a lawn for lush green growth)
in the first year may have neglected the roots in the tree...which needs
the attention in the first year.
Usually I let it sort itself out. If you're not applying anything that
can harm the plant then nature will sort itself out. The first year is
always the hardest on the tree and the hot temperatures probably didn't
help, especially if it wasn't getting watered regularly. I wouldn't
panic until I see how it comes out in the second year...but you can
always give Crosstalk a call on gardening Tuesday.
..
--
We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.
|
