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Dwarf weeping Cherry tree newly planted issues

lesleysummers33dFS_cehllesleysummers33dFS_cehl Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hi 
Im very new to gardening but as a disabled lady its bringing me much joy. So here we go. 
Last week I purchased a 3 year old gorgeous weeping Cherry Tree frim a top class Nursery .. Had it planted by a gardener and it was watered well. Since day 1 leaves started going bright yellow down centre, then limp and brown and falling off. 
So please help. Am i watering too much ? 
Do i need to add anything to soil to help ? 
I boucht a mulch mat and dont even know what that is . 😱
Any advice would be appreciated. 
Many thanks 
Lesley 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Good morning @lesleysummers33dFS_cehl and welcome to the forum  :)

    That tree is going to look gorgeous there ... it looks to me as if your gardener has done a good job of planting it.  

    At this time of year deciduous trees are beginning to change the colour of their leaves, and this year autumn appears to be coming earlier than usual.  As I drove up the road the other day the pavements were covered with fallen beech leaves.  Added to that, trees in the prunus  family (and that includes cherries) tend to among the first trees to change colour and shed their leaves, so I wouldn't panic yet.  :)

    You say you're worried that you might have been over watering it.  How much have you been giving it and how often?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    edited September 2022
    Hi Lesley,

    I also have three (established) weeping cherry trees and their leaves are well on their way to turning for Autumn, so I agree with Dove that’s normal and nothing to worry about. If the change seemed very sudden, they have probably suffered a little transplant shock, which again, is normal when transplanted to a new environment - they would’ve been cosseted in the nursery and now just need time to settle in the big wild world and get their roots down.

    Yes it would be helpful to know how much water you have been giving and also do you know how well your soil drains? Is it a heavy, soggy clay soil for example? If you are watering generously (as you need to do to establish new trees) but it’s very poorly drained soil, there is the possibility they are sitting in a great big bucket of water. On the other hand, if it drains freely, it’s possible they are not getting quite enough. Maybe ask the gardener who planted them for you to check that out, just in case..

    edited to say, I read that as three x year old trees, better get my specs!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • lesleysummers33dFS_cehllesleysummers33dFS_cehl Posts: 4
    Thanks for Replying , 
    There was lots of watering on planting  last week. 
    Im watering a full wateringcan every other day into the soil . Its been stormy last night so not watering today.
    It seems alot so ive bought a soil moisture tester due to arrive today . Lol
    This tree is very precious to me as my Dads ashes are now around it  so im praying it grows and thrives. 
    Gardening is all new to me but it makes me so happy . Its the little things in life that matter.

    Lesley 
  • lesleysummers33dFS_cehllesleysummers33dFS_cehl Posts: 4
    Hi 
    The soil is very much clay so drainage may be an issue. 
    I appreciate your advice . Tree maybe settling and early Autumn is coming. 
    Do you have any pictures of your trees in bloom " Nollie " ? 

    Lesley 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    A lovely thing to plant in your Dad’s memory, I hope it does indeed thrive for you. A full watering can every other day sounds perfect during summer for a newly planted tree, but maybe time to reduce to twice a week now autumn is setting in? Depends on the conditions in the ground of course, it’s very hard to be precise about these things. My clay is very heavy and alkaline and the site floods badly, but at roughly 10yrs old they seem to cope.

    Here’s a photo of one of mine in May:

    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree with @Nollie ... your watering has been just what I would advise ... but as she says, as the tree begins to shut down for the winter the leaves are  not transpiring any moisture so it won't need much at all, and very soon you won't need to water at all until next March ... so I'd start reducing it now ... .  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • lesleysummers33dFS_cehllesleysummers33dFS_cehl Posts: 4
    Thanks folks. I feel more reassured now. 
    Have a good week. 😀
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Ah, but you say it so much better @Dovefromabove 😃  What do you think about Lesley’s slate chippings? I was wondering if an organic bark mulch would be more suitable - better insulation for the tree roots in hot summers and to better able to absorb excess winter rain? Just a thought..
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    As you say @nollie 😊  … slate can heat up … and prunus roots are near the surface … so replacing with bark chippings or similar is something to consider, but not necessary until next spring. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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