Hello all. I planted a 8-9 foot tall DD Blanchard (Northern Hardy) Southern Magnolia back in April. I am in St. Louis and it was doing great up until about a month ago, but on new growth (probably 1-2 feet) and was healthy. I then added about 3 inches of white gravel around it and on top of the mulch and it started dropping leaves and about half the leaves are now brown and falling off. I removed most of the rocks and watered it thouroughly. I have heard the heat from the rocks can kill them? Do you think this guy will makie it now and is there anything I can do to help it more??
2007-08-16 04:09:12 · 4 answers · asked by dalmatianguy2002 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Hi:
The Northern Hardy Southern Magnolia is a beautful tree and does well in your zone. I would never add three inches of gravel to any plant specimen. How much mulch did you put around the tree when you planted it? One should never mound mulch up around the tree trunk. It is best to create a ring around the outside of the tree trunk for proper moisture retention. I think one of your big problems was adding the rocks. Adding organic mushroom compost to any new tree, shrub, or flower when planting is great. The mushroom compost is an organic fertilizer for one year.
Stay on a regular watering schedule and you should be fine. Many trees go into shock the first six months to a year after planting. This is normal. I am glad to hear you took the gravel off the base of the tree. Hope this has helped some and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me on my website. Good luck to you!
Kimberly
http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com
2007-08-17 06:26:38 · answer #1 · answered by Kimberly C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Newly planted trees are at the mercy of the elements; heat, rain and cold. These problems are exaggerated by placing them in less than ideal settings. The rocks created an unnatural heat basin holding in around the newly formed root system.
You may be able to save it by removing the rocks, adding bark as root cover and less watering. Although, the cool weather may do it in. Check with a local nursery for additional tips.
2007-08-16 11:17:50 · answer #2 · answered by ken erestu 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like that could have been the problem and you soved it. I would think maybe the gravel didn't allow the mulch to do it's job just OVER do it's job keeping the water. With the gravel gone it should get back to normal..might take it some time though. Keep watering it even through the upcoming winter and you should be able to rescue the beauty.
2007-08-16 11:17:51 · answer #3 · answered by Perennial Queen 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Agree -- remove rock. Sprinkle epsom salts around the drip line and water in. A shot of MiracleGro won't hurt either.
When mulching any tree, shrub or plant, piling it too high around the base (above dirt line) is detrimental.
2007-08-16 11:27:31 · answer #4 · answered by reynwater 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋