I have a young river birch in my yard that was planted in April-May-ish in memorial of my cat. We left for the summer and while we were gone, the house was rented out. The man who rented it neglected all the plants and when we came back the tree's leaves had shriveled and were brown and dry. The twigs are still very supple and bendy and if you scrape back the bark on them the wood is green. I started watering it excessively after we got back (it's a *river* birch, so it probably needs lots of water, right?), but it doesn't look any healthier. I think it's alive, but I don't know how to help it! How can I make it healthy again?
2006-09-17 13:46:29 · 12 answers · asked by Maran 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Since the twigs are supple and the wood is green, your tree is not dead. It will probably not put out new leaves until the spring, since it would be getting ready to enter its dormancy period now anyway. So don't fertilize it now, because that might cause tender new growth which will be damaged by cold weather. During the time of year when the leaves drop off, roots are still growing, so keep it watered but not soggy. A good deep watering once or twice a week is better than more frequent shallower watering. The roots will seek out the moist soil, so if you water deeply, the roots go deeper into the soil. This is better for your tree because it will tolerate drought better and will also withstand winds better.
So just be patient. Chances are that the tree will come back fine next spring.
2006-09-17 14:22:07 · answer #1 · answered by sonomanona 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Listen to all the good answers above. I too think fertilizing it will eventually kill it and make it worse.
A tree will grow if its 3 basic needs are met. It needs a balance of air, water, and sun. Overdoing either one will stress the tree and kill it. Just water it as needed without overwatering it. Depending where you're at, 20 gallons of water a week is an average. Since your tree is in the yard, you probably can go with less. Sometimes just let it be will do it more good then anything else.
Good luck.
2006-09-20 13:15:26 · answer #2 · answered by Cie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't worry about it. Since you said it was still green when you cut the bark and the twigs are still bendy. I wouldn't water it every day, i would just make sure that the dirt has mositure (damp). Wait till next spring and it will do better. The first couple of years are the hardest for trees I think, you can't turn your back on them. Some spots on the tree you might find conpletely dead, just prune it and let it reguvinate itself.
2006-09-17 14:18:05 · answer #3 · answered by Andy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hope it's alive but there is such a thing as drowning a plant. I expect that having it flooded 24 hours a day might drown a river birch.
2006-09-17 14:00:53 · answer #4 · answered by Robert B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are doing the right thing. Just make sure it is well watered and it should come back. Just when you are about to give up the tree will probably surprise you.
2006-09-17 15:04:27 · answer #5 · answered by papricka w 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
magnolias do not transplant properly.... you took a extensive risk moving an familiar tree.... that is not likely to recuperate in case you have not considered signs and indicators of it in 2 years.... loss of root structures and it attempting to regrow roots provide it reason to pay interest that is boost under floor quite than up suited.... and without plenty up suited, there is little nutrition for it to enhance on down under..... i'd provide it one greater spring and if it would not instruct boost up suited that looks solid, i'd do away with it and get yet another tree.....
2016-12-18 12:06:11 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's got green and it's flexible, you have a chance. It went dormant, but it'll probably come out if you keep watering. If you're in a cold climate, don't keep watering after the first frost.
2006-09-17 15:01:17 · answer #7 · answered by Papa John 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do Not fertilize now, let the tree sink into a long winter nap - though do keep up the watering - with out over doing it.
2006-09-17 13:56:54 · answer #8 · answered by Barbados Chick 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
first of all barbados kiss my a#* have you heard of roundup extended control its a soil sterilizer and weed killer in one, you need to research before you type your crap and as for the year, im sorry a growing season anyway i have better things to be doing than by being on the internet all the time like you must do,any way, to the question, soil amendments and light fertilization will help out the tree very well right now use fertilizer spikes arond the trees dripline
2006-09-17 14:45:34 · answer #9 · answered by Paul 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Depending on what part of the country you are in, it may not grow new leaves until next spring.
2006-09-17 13:54:58 · answer #10 · answered by oceansoflight777 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋