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Cherry Blossom Tree Dropping its Leaves

oliver_jilloliver_jill Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi,

I have a well established cherry blossom tree planted in a lawn, please don't ask me what variety, name etc it was planted over 30 years ago :smile:

Over the last few years it has started to lose a lot of it's leaves. The leaves have either holes in them or brown spots on them. Its a shame as two weeks ago it was full and looking really nice and healthy and now it looks rather sorry for itself.

After a bit of Googling a few sites seemed to imply it just needed a good feed. So if that's potentially correct, how do you feed a massive cherry blossom tree? Dig the feed in around the base of the tree? Slice into the lawn and lift the turf and put the feed underneath on the soil and pat the turf back down? Drill down deeper and closer to the roots and drop the feed into the holes?

Any advice/help would be much appreciated?

Thanks
Jo

Posts

  • CahillsGardenCahillsGarden Posts: 7
    Mine is exactly the same - it seems to have shed most of its leaves, I wonder if its because its been so cold.  Mine was planted about 16 years ago so its a good size too.  looks like winter!

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    First of all, as I have said on a similar thread, the tree will likely have been stressed by last summer's heat and drought and then additional stress during a very cold and bone dry April.  I would water it thoroughly first - buckets and buckets if it's big or else leave the hosepipe on for a couple of hours.

    It may help to make some holes in the soil around it by piercing deeply with a fork so the water soaks in more easily.  Don't feed it while it is stressed.    

    Once it is doing better you could try scattering some granular feed around its roots or else buy a special spray gun for your hosepipe to deliver liquid feed such as seaweed or a comfrey tea if you have children or pets. 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • CahillsGardenCahillsGarden Posts: 7
    Thank you again, you have been so helpful. Good information regarding the feeding too, thank you so much for your time, much appreciated.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Pleasure.  It's what we're here for.  To share and learn and have some fun too.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • CahillsGardenCahillsGarden Posts: 7
    Thanks!  Love your GBS quote too!
  • oliver_jilloliver_jill Posts: 2
    Thanks for the comments peeps, much appreciated. Though I fear with all the heavy rain we’ve had here for the last month or so my tree may be overwatered already ☹️
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Also consider that many ornamental cherry tree varieties have a relatively short life, usually 15 to 25 years, but some can last a lot longer.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • CahillsGardenCahillsGarden Posts: 7
    interesting Bob, I didnt know that
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