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Is the arbutus dying

yonashjrUypaqoyonashjrUypaqo Posts: 3
in Problem solving
 leaves  in  this young arbutus become brown
and crispy.
Do I have to add more water.
Thanks

Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Yes, it needs lots of water but check first that the tissue underneath the bark is still green by scratching it with your fingernail.  If it's green, there's hope!  Water deeply at ground level every other day until you see signs of recovery. I have a mature Arbutus which has been dropping leaves all summer and looks quite sparse now but it has bounced back before!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    You’ve left it a bit late I’d say ,but keep on with plenty of water and you may rescue it if you’re lucky 
  • yonashjrUypaqoyonashjrUypaqo Posts: 3
    Thanks it looks green....

  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    You have taken it out of its pot haven't you? Arbutus tolerate hard pruning so if part of your plant has died just trim back to a balanced shape.
  • yonashjrUypaqoyonashjrUypaqo Posts: 3
    Thank you very much, yes this is a seedling removed from its initial pot, do you mean I should prune the dead branches? In general can the tree live without leaves?
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    If the branches are dead then they are better removed. You may need to remove some live branches to get a balanced shape. Remember that leafless branches are not necessarily dead, check. Scrape bark away.
    Yes, it could regenerate even if it looses all foliage. I would not give up on it until early next summer.
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