TREE HELP NEEDED
mcarr1810
Posts: 6
Hi
I'm a complete novice when it comes to the garden.
We've recently bought a new house & the builders have planted a tree in our front garden. They were meant to plant it when we moved in (end March 2017) but as with all construction, things got missed etc. We complained a few times and eventually they've just planted it around 2 weeks ago. They did make us aware that it wasn't strictly "tree planting season", but this didn't make massive sense to us as there have been other houses on the estate which have been built after ours and they have all had trees planted too, but I do understand that there are certain times of the year which are suited to planting trees.
Anyway, I don't want this tree to die, mainly on principle, but also as we really wanted the tree.
I have watered the tree most days since it was planted, but it seems that the leaves are turning yellow & falling off. Can anyone help?? What should we do?? Can anyone also identify the tree??
Last edited: 11 August 2017 19:56:19
Posts
Looks like you've got quite a handsome birch-tree there ; yellowing leaves and spots can be caused by soil-borne pathogens . Keep the tree strong by liberal watering (it's competing with the grass) and maybe treat the tree in Spring with a systemic fungicide .
PS :- if the tree was pot grown by a nursery for the builders , the planting time is irrelevant as long as its roots are moist for the first year at least .
Thank you for your reply. So as long as I keep watering it, it should be fine???
is there any food I can give it?
I would remove a circle of grass around the tree. It will mean that you do not damage the tree bark when you mow, and less competition for water and nutrients to help the tree. Usually I add bonemeal when plating trees and shrubs as it helps the root system.
MiracleGro is as good as you get , but shouldn't bother at this late time of year ; my birches are shedding leaves already !
Good advice from fidgetbones ; less competition from the grass .
Ok, I might just chuck it some miracle grow this weekend as it's still very new and I'll remove the grass too.
Thank you
Another thing that might help while it's getting established is to cut the bottom off a plastic bottle and bury it upside down close to the tree. This enables you to apply water and liquid feed a few inches below the surface where it will not be lost to evaporation or taken up by surrounding shallow rooted plants. This will encourage the tree's roots to go deeper.
Having removed your circle of grass, apply a mulch: this will retain water, discourage weeds and gradually release nutrients into the soil as it rots. Almost any organic material can be used as mulch: leaf mould, spent mushroom compost, seaweed, and, in time, homemade compost.
Last edited: 12 August 2017 17:01:03