What are signs of overwatering in acacia saligna. Puts out new leaves which turn brown at the tips/?

Question

Recently planted 8 foot acacia saligna which seems unhappy. Haven't figured out watering schedules. It is putting out new leaves, but they turn brown at the tips. Leaves aren't falling off, just turning brown at the tips. Tried slow deep watering. Now trying less frequent water. Have heavy clay soil. Would appreciate any help.

Answer 1

Hi Paul. Perhaps it is 'salt burn' Most common in areas with low rainfall,it also occurs in soil with poor drainage. (heavy clay qualifies) Excess salts accumulate in the leaf edges where they kill the tissue (excess salts could be from fertilizer.) these salts also interfere with water uptake by the plant. Salt burn injury does not disappear from the leaves, but injury can be avoided in the future. in areas of low rainfall, leach out accumulated salts from the soil with an occasional heavy irrigation (about once a month) For the best diagnosis of your problem, I recommend contacting you local Cooperative Extension Office to get local advice from local Master Gardeners.

Answer 2

You cannot either OVER or UNDER water that tree.
And I believe it will hold up under the hot sun also.
Sometimes, you can over fertilize a plant of any size! Is it possible that by fertilizing the grass around the tree you could be overfeeding the tree too???
The only other thing I can think of is if you bury the tree TOO DEEP!!!
If you planted it into the ground lower than the very top of the root ball than it might be slowly suffocating.
Insects would eventually turn the entire leaf brown and it would drop, so would the leaves if they were watered wrong.
A fungus would do the same, eventually get the whole leaf to drop.
Sorry I am not smarter than that!

Answer 3

Your acacia is an Australian native, It is used to a hot dry climate. Heat will not affect it. It will not be happy about your heavy clay soil. Improve drainage if you can by adding gypsum,sand etc. Aus. natives grow best in a soil that drains well. Be very careful when fertilizing around it. High phosphorus fertilizers can kill natives. We use special native fertilizers in Australia that are low in phosphorus. Browning of the leaf margins is an indication of excessive phosphorous. Try not to over water only water when the soil drys out.

Answer 4

usaually a sign of brown tips on any plant means there the plant is lacking nutrients. Give it a good feeding. Hopefully it will help. Or however, if you have fed it, you could be giving it to much feed. Plants can be very tempramental sometimes.