Q. I
think I this might be a pink locust tree. I’m seeing a lot of dead branches.
The tree was planted last Fall. Should I give it some fertilizer to help it
push out new growth?
A. The
tree looks a little skimpy on the foliage side but I don’t see anything from
this distance that gives me much overall concern. Check to make sure it was not
planted too deep. Some landscapers are notorious
for digging a hole barely large enough for the root ball. This can also be part
of the problem. I tell people now if they buy a large tree from a nursery,
hire some people and dig the hole before they deliver the tree and buy
good amendment for the backfill while they are at it.
tree looks a little skimpy on the foliage side but I don’t see anything from
this distance that gives me much overall concern. Check to make sure it was not
planted too deep. Some landscapers are notorious
for digging a hole barely large enough for the root ball. This can also be part
of the problem. I tell people now if they buy a large tree from a nursery,
hire some people and dig the hole before they deliver the tree and buy
good amendment for the backfill while they are at it.
A
thin canopy like that can also mean a lack of water. The lack of water would be
on the quantity applied at each irrigation, not on the frequency of irrigation.
Right now that trees should get by easily receiving water twice a week. But I
would guess a tree that size would require the same amount of water as about
half of the box that it came in. So if that was a 24 inch box I would guess it
would need 20 to 30 gallons each time it was irrigated. Apply some good
fertilizer and take a hose and soak it after you made sure it was not planted
too deep. Do that about once a week for the next month and see what happens.
thin canopy like that can also mean a lack of water. The lack of water would be
on the quantity applied at each irrigation, not on the frequency of irrigation.
Right now that trees should get by easily receiving water twice a week. But I
would guess a tree that size would require the same amount of water as about
half of the box that it came in. So if that was a 24 inch box I would guess it
would need 20 to 30 gallons each time it was irrigated. Apply some good
fertilizer and take a hose and soak it after you made sure it was not planted
too deep. Do that about once a week for the next month and see what happens.
.JPG) |
| Sunburn on locust followed by death of that side of the tree. When the bark was pulled off, borers damage was seen. |
If
this is an Idaho or Black locust like Purple Robe, they are very susceptible to sun damage
to the trunk. Once the trunk gets damaged they frequently are attacked by
borers. As a precaution it might be a good idea to give it a soil drench with
Merit insecticide as a precaution. The same insecticide can be found in Ferti-lome’s tree and shrub systemic insect drench. I know Viragrow has a pretty good
price on it if they still have the small containers.
this is an Idaho or Black locust like Purple Robe, they are very susceptible to sun damage
to the trunk. Once the trunk gets damaged they frequently are attacked by
borers. As a precaution it might be a good idea to give it a soil drench with
Merit insecticide as a precaution. The same insecticide can be found in Ferti-lome’s tree and shrub systemic insect drench. I know Viragrow has a pretty good
price on it if they still have the small containers.
If at all possible you want
that tree to develop lower scaffold limbs to help shade the trunk.The canopy could use some light pruning. Remove crossed branches or branches growing on top of each other or too close together. You can do that now if you don’t remove too much or wait until this winter.
that tree to develop lower scaffold limbs to help shade the trunk.The canopy could use some light pruning. Remove crossed branches or branches growing on top of each other or too close together. You can do that now if you don’t remove too much or wait until this winter.
Those two stakes should have been cut off a few inches above where they put the ties to prevent injury from winds knocking the low branches against them. Actually it looks to me like it was tied much too high anyway, but then I hate staking trees for support. But if it has been in the ground nine months I'd consider removing them at this point anyway.