Kwansan cherry problems

14 years ago

Got a Kwansan cherry that I've been nursing for 3 years from an ugly duckling type potted tree I rescued from HD. I've pruned it into a more vase-like shape and applied root stimulation on several occasions. It was really starting to fill in well and grow upwards.

Now the bad part. Since it had been in the ground for 3 years I thought it could take a Bayer tree-drench (per label instructions for 1 gal water) for systemic repelling of beetles, which we have an over-abundance of here. I did this 3 weeks ago in preparation of the beetle attack. I also treated several other trees the same manner with no adverse affects.

Now, this cherry tree has all dead brown leaves on the tree, but several of the limbs I tested still looked green. Is this tree dead or continuing to die, or should I give it a chance to try to rebound? I have tried to flush the roots and applied a small dose (3oz/2-gal water) rootr stimulator to encourage root growth and new leafing.

Any thoughts?

Comments (4)

dottie_in_charlotte
14 years ago
Jim, I should think that just plain rainwater regularly will help this tree most. Don't overwater because without leaves to complete the transpiration, those roots on a young tree can drown pretty easily.
The one thing about japanese beetles is they rarely eat an entire leaf so while many leaves are damaged, there's still normal transpiration while the damage signals the tree to put out some fresh growth.
It will have time to recover this fall but I wouldn't make any more applications of root stimulator for at least another year. You'll have drench residue in the soil for a while.
jimtnc
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Dottie.

So you think there still may be a chance this tree could survive? By plain rainwater, I guess you mean don't water it and let the rain do the rejuvinating? I have rain barrels too, so in these dry times I could do a 2-gal pail dump on it or so if I had to.
Related Professionals
South Orange Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Finneytown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Aurora Landscape Contractors · Bethlehem Landscape Contractors · Wilmington Landscape Contractors · Barrington Landscape Contractors · Byram Landscape Contractors · Fuquay-Varina Landscape Contractors · Garland Landscape Contractors · Hilo Landscape Contractors · Mission Viejo Landscape Contractors · North Haven Landscape Contractors · Plainview Landscape Contractors · Smyrna Landscape Contractors · Sun City Center Landscape Contractors
dottie_in_charlotte
14 years ago
No, I mean keep a check on soil moisture and water it with collected rainwater.
jimtnc
Original Author
14 years ago
Okay, thanks.