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New rowan tree problem

iankyle2Hd9Gmtfziankyle2Hd9Gmtfz Posts: 19
in Problem solving
I planted an Autumn Spire rowan in my garden a few weeks ago. It was thriving and growing nicely. Following very heavy rainfall this week the leaves are now drooping badly and turning autumnal. Other plants are not showing signs of distress in my borders in our back garden, where the soil is currently very wet and heavy. Any advice to offer?

Posts

  • BenDoverBenDover Posts: 488
    edited August 2020
    Don't know where you are but if you're in the south, my guess is that its' been heat-stressed by the very hot weather last week.  My understanding is that trees will shed leaves in very hot weather in order to reduce the amount of water transpiration.  I was also at Wakehurst Place today, which is the arboretum linked with Kew Gardens, and I spotted a number of established trees which looked very autumnal and already lost a lot of their leaves which I assume was also linked to the hot weather.  I would say keep watering and give it something like After Plant for Trees and Shrubs which is made by Empathy.   That will provide feed and also contain mycorrhizal fungi which will help with root development.  Below is a shot of ones of the trees from today...
  • iankyle2Hd9Gmtfziankyle2Hd9Gmtfz Posts: 19
    Thanks. I live in Central Scotland and we have not had very much hot weather recently. We  had exceptionally heavy rainfall in midweek and I suspect the problem is more waterlogging than anything. I am really looking for advice on what if anything I should do at this stage. The tree was very healthy when first planted but it is now looking very sad.
  • BenDoverBenDover Posts: 488
    When you planted it, did you plant it at the same depth it was in the pot?  The picture looks like you may have planted it a little bit deeper as the soil on the surface looks all the same.  If you did plant deeper, if only a little bit, then that can cause problems.  Scrape back any soil to the level the trunk was at in the pot as that will increase the level of air getting to the roots.  Secondly, when you planted it, did you free up any roots that had wrapped them themselves around the pot it was growing in?

    Again, I'd definitely recommend After Plant. I planted a Ginko Biloba a couple of years ago and it did seem to struggle in the first few weeks after planting, but after putting that around the planting area for a few weeks, it kick-started it

    By the way, I'm definitely interested in your post because I have bought a Sorbus Autumn Spire which is currently sitting in a pot in my garden waiting to be planted in a new bed.  I won't be planting mine until probably October once the temporary summer planting has been cleared. 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I'm wondering whether you put manure or even gravel in the bottom of the planting hole which might have created a sump? That might cause water logging which is stressing the tree. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's fine  :)
    Native rowans grow in bogs, peatland, moorland, sides of burns etc, and cultivated ones are just as tough. 
    Don't start giving it food of any kind. 

    Trees are already turning here- perfectly normal, in fact some are later than normal  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BenDoverBenDover Posts: 488
    After Grow is fine to use as a top dressing for newly planted trees and shrubs in autumn.  As I said, it also contains mycorrhizal fungi which is helpful for root development.  Even though trees may not have leaves in winter, they still spend their time developing root systems.  This is why the best time to plant trees is the autumn so trees can develop and not have to worry about what happens up top.  
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The climate here is perfect for rowans. You dig a hole and shove them in. At almost any time of year. They certainly don't need coddling. 
    Very different climate from the south of England.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • iankyle2Hd9Gmtfziankyle2Hd9Gmtfz Posts: 19
    Many thanks for the helpful advice. I did plant the tree at the correct level but I have been working to dry out the waterlogged soil. I will try to take steps to help the tree. Fingers crossed!
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I wonder who goes out onto the moorlands and sorts out the Rowan trees when they root themselves in bogs.
    They grow anywhere, in any conditions, mines starting to turn, just the way of it. 

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    iankyle2Hd9Gmtfz said:
    Many thanks for the helpful advice. I did plant the tree at the correct level but I have been working to dry out the waterlogged soil. I will try to take steps to help the tree. Fingers crossed!
    It'll be fine  :)
    It'll be a nice addition for your border too. It doesn't have much competition for water or nutrients there either, so it should establish well without any bother. 

    This is one of my favourites @Lyn - part way up one the hills near Arrochar. It never gets a chance to get any bigger  :D


    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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