I came to the forum seeking advice, Fairygirl, but there always seems to be one or two (and I remember this experience before now with Fairygirl come to mention it) that seem to provoke the sort of reaction I now seem to be experiencing.
When the ground is very dry over a large area, you need to apply enough water to restore the moisture level of the soil; only then can the tree’s roots access the amount of water it needs.
Somewhat impractical when the tree is in lawn, when water is supposed to be conserved according to the water companies, and so on. I'm afraid I couldn't justify spending an hour stood with a hosepipe (or using a sprinkler) to ensure the entire lawn is saturated.
You misunderstand … I’m talking about ‘deep watering’ the soil beneath the surface … where the tree roots are (or should be) … not the grass-covered surface … certainly not using a sprinkler.
From what I can see from the photograph, the tree does not not seem well-grown for an 8 year old Prunus ‘Kanzan’ … there’s evidence of quite a few dead/cankerous branches … it does appear to have struggled in the past.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
When the ground is very dry over a large area, you need to apply enough water to restore the moisture level of the soil; only then can the tree’s roots access the amount of water it needs.
Somewhat impractical when the tree is in lawn, when water is supposed to be conserved according to the water companies, and so on. I'm afraid I couldn't justify spending an hour stood with a hosepipe (or using a sprinkler) to ensure the entire lawn is saturated.
You misunderstand … I’m talking about ‘deep watering’ the soil beneath the surface … where the tree roots are (or should be) … not the grass-covered surface … certainly not using a sprinkler.
From what I can see from the photograph, the tree does not not seem well-grown for an 8 year old Prunus ‘Kanzan’ … there’s evidence of quite a few dead/cankerous branches … it does appear to have struggled in the past.
I don't misunderstand - canker is as common as muck on cherry trees. Virtually all I've seen have it somewhere or another. Never affected the health of the tree before.
How do you know it hasn't been well-grown - were you growing it or was I? I really don't need your judgement as plenty of others have appreciated it to date, not least me.
If you haven't anything positive to say then perhaps no need to provide advice next time out as your style usually features (at one point or another) a jab at the OP from what I remember - ?
The soil was deep watered during the three minutes with a hose around the base of the tree and many litres were applied within that time.
If it had struggled in the past I would have probably said so on here - by all means search my posts to see if that's been the case.
The tree has also been pruned each year to limit size, but again that will be something you will have overlooked no doubt too.
A photograph of the whole tree would have revealed more … I can only advise on the evidence you’ve shown us, and that I’ve done in response to your query and in an attempt to be helpful … you are free to ignore any or all advice offered … that’s entirely up to you.
Sorry that you feel ‘jabbed at’ 🤷♀️
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
A photograph of the whole tree would have revealed more … I can only advise on the evidence you’ve shown us, and that I’ve done in response to your query and in an attempt to be helpful … you are free to ignore any or all advice offered … that’s entirely up to you.
Sorry that you feel ‘jabbed at’ 🤷♀️
It wouldn't have revealed more as half of the leaves are off already. By this time of year they'd usually all have fallen normally.
What you see is how it is.
As far as I'm aware, dead branches aren't capable of supporting leaves and all branches had leaves as usual this season.
Well I'm sorry if you feel singled out but sometimes I can't help but feel people are keen to point the finger at the gardener himself / herself. I've always looked after my plants, that I can promise you.
That's why I can't get my head around what's happened as the tree has never had a problem before bar a bit of canker which has never seemed to affect its appearance or vigour.
Here's hoping it is environmental extremes and nothing more.
Nobody is having a go at you. Folk are only making suggestions based on the information you have given. You say you have pruned it several times. Has that always been done at the right time, as diseases such as silverleaf could be a possibility if done at the wrong time.
When people post with tree problems there are a number of common issues that we usually mention, even if it's only to rule them out. Often people say they've watered a tree well and it turns out they thought a can or two once or twice a week was enough, or think it's OK to have a young tree planted in grass (or other plants) without a clear space around the roots. It sounds as if that's not the case for you.
Here's another thought - you said your soil is improved clay. Is it possible that there's a hard pan layer down below the tree impeding the drainage lower down, even though it's good near the surface? At 8 years your tree roots might only just have reached down to such a layer, if it's maybe a couple of feet down, and you might not have gone down that far when you improved the soil and planted the tree. We had some unusually wet spells this summer, and waterlogging can cause similar symptoms to underwatering because the roots can't take up water if there aren't tiny air spaces between the soil particles.
In any case wait and see is probably the best approach for now. If it leafs up in spring and behaves as normal, all well and good. If not, maybe further investigation would be in order.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Nobody is having a go at you. Folk are only making suggestions based on the information you have given. You say you have pruned it several times. Has that always been done at the right time, as diseases such as silverleaf could be a possibility if done at the wrong time.
Of course it has - always August / September on warm, dry days. I was fully aware of that disease long before buying the tree and it has never been an issue. Leaves don't have a silver sheen.
When people post with tree problems there are a number of common issues that we usually mention, even if it's only to rule them out. Often people say they've watered a tree well and it turns out they thought a can or two once or twice a week was enough, or think it's OK to have a young tree planted in grass (or other plants) without a clear space around the roots. It sounds as if that's not the case for you.
Here's another thought - you said your soil is improved clay. Is it possible that there's a hard pan layer down below the tree impeding the drainage lower down, even though it's good near the surface? At 8 years your tree roots might only just have reached down to such a layer, if it's maybe a couple of feet down, and you might not have gone down that far when you improved the soil and planted the tree. We had some unusually wet spells this summer, and waterlogging can cause similar symptoms to underwatering because the roots can't take up water if there aren't tiny air spaces between the soil particles.
In any case wait and see is probably the best approach for now. If it leafs up in spring and behaves as normal, all well and good. If not, maybe further investigation would be in order.
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for the reassurance - I accept now that no one meant any critique.
Yes, it was planted lovingly and cared for as such in its formative years in terms of watering, feeding and allowing it space etc.
An interesting point though for sure re the pan deep down - I hadn't thought of that and it's a possibility I'm sure. I was away from mid July to mid August - was it especially wet at that time in the Midlands (where I'm situated)?
Thanks again and yes, just have to hope. Will have to inspect the tree more closely when time allows for any dieback but I hadn't noticed any before.
Posts
talking about ‘deep watering’ the soil beneath the surface … where the tree roots are (or should be) … not the grass-covered surface … certainly not using a sprinkler.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
How do you know it hasn't been well-grown - were you growing it or was I?
I really don't need your judgement as plenty of others have appreciated it to date, not least me.
If you haven't anything positive to say then perhaps no need to provide advice next time out as your style usually features (at one point or another) a jab at the OP from what I remember - ?
The soil was deep watered during the three minutes with a hose around the base of the tree and many litres were applied within that time.
If it had struggled in the past I would have probably said so on here - by all means search my posts to see if that's been the case.
The tree has also been pruned each year to limit size, but again that will be something you will have overlooked no doubt too.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
What you see is how it is.
As far as I'm aware, dead branches aren't capable of supporting leaves and all branches had leaves as usual this season.
Well I'm sorry if you feel singled out but sometimes I can't help but feel people are keen to point the finger at the gardener himself / herself. I've always looked after my plants, that I can promise you.
That's why I can't get my head around what's happened as the tree has never had a problem before bar a bit of canker which has never seemed to affect its appearance or vigour.
Here's hoping it is environmental extremes and nothing more.
You say you have pruned it several times. Has that always been done at the right time, as diseases such as silverleaf could be a possibility if done at the wrong time.
Thanks for the reassurance - I accept now that no one meant any critique.
Yes, it was planted lovingly and cared for as such in its formative years in terms of watering, feeding and allowing it space etc.
An interesting point though for sure re the pan deep down - I hadn't thought of that and it's a possibility I'm sure. I was away from mid July to mid August - was it especially wet at that time in the Midlands (where I'm situated)?
Thanks again and yes, just have to hope. Will have to inspect the tree more closely when time allows for any dieback but I hadn't noticed any before.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.