New beech hedge leaves are shrivled up but don't feel dry

ElizabethHudson · July 2018

Looking for some advice. Last winter I planted some well branched pot grown green beech in a shady gap in our hedge. All was well until the very warm weather. I have been watering on and off but not every day..

This week I noticed that the beech appear to be dying. They are not all "dead" yet. The leaves appear to turn yellow like they are losing chlorophyll. The worst one has twisted up wrinkled leaves but they are not hard or fragile. The stems are still flexible and not snapping. The others have some shrivelled leaves. The mature beech hedge in ur front garden is fine.

Has the heat killed them or could they leaf up again later? Not sure what to do.

Borderline · July 2018

I think in this instance, it might be better to take a photograph. Limp leaves are a sign of heat stress and since you only planted them only six months ago, the roots are not fully established enough in both excess heat and drought. The mature shrubs are fine at the front might be because they have roots far more established, therefore able to cope.

I suggest you continue to water. Not sure how much you had been watering, but I think you need a minimum of one full bucket for each plant at least every other day if temperatures remain the same, and water slowly directly into the root area to avoid wasting water.

New beech hedge leaves are shrivled up but don't feel dry

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