The thing I'd take from this more than anything is - don't get that family friend to do anything in your garden in future @lizqueenan. No one with any knowledge at all would have planted those 80cm apart. 1.5m is too close, but you often wonder if sellers just see £ signs....why flog you one tree when they can flog two... I agree with the others - trees of that stature need a lot of care - and water- to successfully establish them, so it may be unsuccessful. I hope they recover, but moving one again is likely to be even more stressful for that one, although it may benefit the one that's left.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Quite possible that the root balls dried out after planting and you now have very large trees attempting to survive with a limited root system. Smaller trees would have been cheaper and easier to establish. Distance from house is not a problem they are often planted as wall shrubs. They are close but will adapt to that. Tolerant of pruning.
Lizzie27, Steephill and Fairygirl- thank you all so much for your wisdom! I’m digesting what you have said, and I think at the very least, one of the trees needs to be moved at least 6 feet from where it is now, perhaps even more, to give them a chance.
Kate7- thank you for your insight, I’m very grateful. Do you agree with other posters that moving one of the trees apart, then plenty of watering, will give the trees a chance? Do you think they could fully recover? Re their root systems and the proximity to the wall, I’m now wondering if a root barrier memebrane could be a good idea to direct roots away from that direction.
I feel awful for relying on the guidance of someone who clearly had no idea what they were advising although meant well poor trees!
Watering is the only thing that's worth doing. Forget doing anything re the walls, but bear in mind that any other planting is competition for moisture. If you decide to move one, I'd move the one nearest the neighbour to avoid any problems later with overhanging branches. It might be worth setting up an irrigation hose to ensure adequate water getting to it. Not something I've ever needed, but there was a query [yesterday maybe?] about them and a few suggestions. I'll see if I can find it.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Watering is the only thing that's worth doing. Forget doing anything re the walls, but bear in mind that any other planting is competition for moisture. If you decide to move one, I'd move the one nearest the neighbour to avoid any problems later with overhanging branches. It might be worth setting up an irrigation hose to ensure adequate water getting to it. Not something I've ever needed, but there was a query [yesterday maybe?] about them and a few suggestions. I'll see if I can find it.
Thank you Fairygirl! Those lovelies will be getting a good drenching twice a week now. They had one last night. I’ll do more if you all think it is warranted. I’m still on the fence about moving a tree due to more stress on the poor things but I want to be realistic.... I really want them to thrive, they have sentimental importance to me too
I can't find that thread about the seep hose unfortunately @lizqueenan , but it might be an easier option than taking bucket loads of water out there every other day. Others might be able to help with that, and you can always start a new thread and ask for advice if you feel that would be helpful You'd need to just keep checking the conditions of the ground around them, so that you can judge how wet/dry the soil is. Heading into summer, it's important to make sure they don't struggle. I hope they respond, but it might take a long time before you see any major difference.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you again Fairygirl! I was just going to hose each tree at root level for a good 5 mins twice (perhaps thrice) weekly but any suggestions on a better system to help the trees recover faster would be gratefully received!
I'm afraid 5 minutes doesn't even begin to address it. Buckets of water [a standard 3 gallon bucket] for trees that size. At least a couple of them -poured slowly so that it doesn't just run off, two or three times a week.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
I agree with the others - trees of that stature need a lot of care - and water- to successfully establish them, so it may be unsuccessful.
I hope they recover, but moving one again is likely to be even more stressful for that one, although it may benefit the one that's left.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Distance from house is not a problem they are often planted as wall shrubs. They are close but will adapt to that. Tolerant of pruning.
It might be worth setting up an irrigation hose to ensure adequate water getting to it. Not something I've ever needed, but there was a query [yesterday maybe?] about them and a few suggestions. I'll see if I can find it.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You'd need to just keep checking the conditions of the ground around them, so that you can judge how wet/dry the soil is. Heading into summer, it's important to make sure they don't struggle.
I hope they respond, but it might take a long time before you see any major difference.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
At least a couple of them -poured slowly so that it doesn't just run off, two or three times a week.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...