I see what you mean @Balgay.Hill … and the tree still appears to be strapped to a cane as well as being staked … surely that cane should’ve been removed on planting? I’ve never seen a professionally planted tree left strapped tightly to a cane like that before 😵💫
It looks like the leader has been pruned in the past and another branch has been trained as a new leader. As you said though, very strange for a professional to plant it like that.
I'll remove the cane today then! This is the nursery - https://kingco.co.uk/ - they were incredibly helpful before and after, I went down the several times to speak to them and ask for advice prior to buying etc and have been very responsive since. The tree is definitely going brown and losing all of its leaves today but to be fair as of yesterday a lot of the plants in my garden look equally unhappy. It's a shame I'm going to have a bare tree from August onwards but as long as it's happy next year that's what I'm worried about!
@gilla.walmsley The cane might be supporting that new leader. As a half way measure, you might want to leave the cane until next spring, but replace the ties with something not so tight. You will find out if that is needed when you remove the top ties, and it flops over.
I'd agree with the others re that cane. It's certainly odd, but as long as it isn't restricting the trunk, it should be ok. In an average year, it wouldn't have been great to plant a reasonably mature tree at this time of year, unless you're in a wetter/cloudier part of the country. In hotter, drier areas, it makes establishment very difficult. However, they're tough little trees, and a bucketful of water each time you water it will be ideal. Don't rely totally on that meter though - they can be iffy. The mulch will also help, and you can do that every few weeks just now anyway, when the soil is moist. Once some autumnal weather arrives, and your temps cool down and become more favourable, add more organic matter to the surrounding area. The soil will be a bit depleted if you're having to manually water so much, so that will help it.
It's normal for it to drop some foliage, and it may drop more due to the stress of weather conditions, but if you can get it to autumn/winter in one piece, you should be ok
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@gilla.walmsley The cane might be supporting that new leader. As a half way measure, you might want to leave the cane until next spring, but replace the ties with something not so tight. You will find out if that is needed when you remove the top ties, and it flops over.
I think that's a good suggestion ... the ties definitely look too tight tho'.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Posts
The cane might be supporting that new leader. As a half way measure, you might want to leave the cane until next spring, but replace the ties with something not so tight. You will find out if that is needed when you remove the top ties, and it flops over.
However, they're tough little trees, and a bucketful of water each time you water it will be ideal. Don't rely totally on that meter though - they can be iffy.
The mulch will also help, and you can do that every few weeks just now anyway, when the soil is moist. Once some autumnal weather arrives, and your temps cool down and become more favourable, add more organic matter to the surrounding area. The soil will be a bit depleted if you're having to manually water so much, so that will help it.
It's normal for it to drop some foliage, and it may drop more due to the stress of weather conditions, but if you can get it to autumn/winter in one piece, you should be ok
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.