Is my tree alive?

Question

I transplanted some trees a couple months ago. I have been deep watering them everyday for a month and a half and have know cut down to every other day. When I scrape the bark on the trunks there is green underneath but when I scrape the braches they are all brown underneath. The leaves are all brown and falling off. If I keep watering them will they come back in spring or should I dig then out and replace them?

The leaves are brown but are remaining on the tree and on the bottom of one There is new growth

Answer 1

Spray your tree with a fungicide! And keep up the watering and good treatment.

Answer 2

Any stem/branch that snaps in two when you bend it is dead. If all of them do it, then your trees are dead. But don't rush to judgment too quickly, as there may be some life deep down. Don't water them unless the soil is dry to the touch a few inches down.

Next time, with your shovel make a ring around the trunk the depth of the shovel blade, or more if you can, about a foot and a half from the trunk, and leave it like that for a month or two. This will minimize the shock to the tree, and also give the roots time to regrow a bit. Some trees like holly like to maintain the same north/south orientation, so be mindful of that.

Answer 3

If there is new growth, I'm guessing the brown leaves you were seeing is just from transplant stress. I'd give them a full year to get established or die off.

You might want to cut back on the watering unless these are marshy-soil plantings. Too much water can be bad.

The only other thought I have if every tree of this kind is dying is that it's the wrong kind of tree for your soil, Ph, amount of sunlight, or climate. Check the tag. If you have any doubts about your soil quality, it may not hurt to do a soil test.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Hi there,
First of all what type of trees are they? Secondly, I am sorry, but you have been literally drowning the poor things. Newly planted trees do require an initial deep soaking in. Then, if no significant rainfall, a weekly soak is all that is needed. To correct the problem, stop watering until you can feel dryness in the soil at about 6 inches deep. Then, resume only after you see the tree perk back up.

Answer 5

All the branches will die they may come from the ground but will be an unattractive tree. They could bud out. Personally every day waterings is a bit much and could have bogged them out. Too much water can kill a plant as much as not enough.
In all states in the united states....even california it is too hot to plant trees now. If you live in southern states wait until the fall to replace trees. If you live in northern areas spring. I wouldn't pull them out just yet in a few months it will be evident what is going to produce from them. Most likely it is replacement time in the spring.

Answer 6

Cut\prune it keep pruning till you reach the green part,then it will begin to grow and flourish! I am thinking you might be over watering! The soil should be kept damp,not soaked,I only deep water when I transplant and about one time per every two weeks(with regular watering in between) the soil should be allowed to dry out some and just remain damp

Answer 7

If you still have green, the trees are still wick (or alive). Keep watering, but you should feed them with Miracle Grow or something similar as well. Even if the trees die back completely, you might have new shoots come up from the roots.

Answer 8

It is good to keep them well watered for 3 or four weeks, but if you have a heavy clay soil they can be watered too much and drown the roots. also to much water will keep the roots from growing deep as they don"t have to search for water. Taper off the watering and let nature take it's place.

Answer 9

It sounds like transplant shock and possibly to much water. Back of on the watering and wait to see if the trees adjust to their new home. patience is the key here

Answer 10

if they are still green underneath they are still alive.
but the branches don't seem to be.
you need to cut these off as the tree is still trying to keep these alive which will eventually kill the tree...
cut off the dead branches and the tree will come back quicker.
don't give up on them yet.
you can also get some fertaliser (something with seaweed is great plants and trees love it)...