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moonstarr15

Schubert Chokecherry Issues - What is this?

moonstarr
10 years ago

Hi everyone,

I posted about a month or so back about a Schubert Chokecherry we had professionally planted (transplant shock and had a big gouge in the trunk). The tree was replaced a few weeks later, but I'm running into an issue with the new tree I'm hoping you can shed some insight into.

After planting, I noticed this new tree's leaves were curling (mostly up high). The first tree also appeared to have this problem. I assumed it wasn't getting enough water? I've tried to keep the ground moist (I have one of those moisture metres, and it would dry out in between waterings to around 2-3 (out of 10) and then I would give it another good soaking to saturate the ground.

** One thing I've noticed about this tree is that the root ball seems to dry out VERY quickly, although just outside the rootball, the ground can be still be very moist (around an 8-9). Should I be trying to water it deeply enough to keep the root ball area constantly fairly wet? Or have I been doing it right by letting it dry out a bit in between (to encourage the feeder roots to grow out?). As a side note, the Maple tree I had planted around the same time is doing great, so at least I know I'm doing something right with at least that one!

In addition to the curled leaves, I then noticed that it started to get holes in the leaves ... you can see from the photos that there are quite a few leaves affected, especially near the top. Is this some sort of fungus? Insects? Shot Hole?

Any suggestions on what I should do? Is it me and what I'm doing? It is the tree? Am I always just going to have a stressed relationship with Schubert Chockcherries and we're just never going to get along?

BTW ... I have been adding some root fertilizer about 2x a week to both trees (Plant Prod Root Booster), and have about 2" of mulch around the base (but about 2" from the trunk).

Thanks so much for any suggestions ... I really do appreciate it. :)

Here are some photos:

Comments (16)

  • User
    10 years ago

    We have a new tree and it looked like that until we watered 5 gallons every 3 days then it perked up.

  • moonstarr
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    I did buy one of those plastic watering drip irrigation systems mid last week. I think it holds 15 gallons. It went through all the water in a couple days, so I just refilled it today. Hopefully that will solve the curled leaves problem. I have hope knowing that yours perked up after a lot of watering.

    Did yours have the leaf holes as well? Or is that a separate problem I wonder?

    Thanks! :)

  • northspruce
    10 years ago

    That last picture looks exactly like hail damage. If the tree otherwise survives, this won't do it any harm in the long run. It's tough to keep a new tree thriving through its first August but it sounds like you're doing the right things.

  • Slimy_Okra
    10 years ago

    When transplants are involved, especially if the native soil is clay, the traditional gardening advice of watering deeply and infrequently should be tossed out of the window. That only works for established plants/trees. Keep the rootball moist until it establishes itself.

  • moonstarr
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thank you! I'll be sure to keep it well watered and hopefully it will come around.

  • Konrad___far_north
    10 years ago

    I don't see much wrong,.. curled leaves I've seen on my tree every year,..almost have to say that's normal?

  • braeburn040
    10 years ago

    I agree with Konrad, I have two Schubert trees, they don't seem to be curled now but I've had them for many years, but this year in particular I noticed that my well established apple trees did that when the hot weather hit after the wet June and early July. I think your leaves were likely very lush and when the heat hit they curled?? I have found that choke cherry trees are pretty tough! Aside from that, I've never been able to post multiple pictures like you did, I've seen Konrad do the same, Is there info on GW how you do this? Thanks.

  • bdgardener
    10 years ago

    I agree with Konrad too, I think every new tree I plant does that for the first couple of years. Planted a new apple for my niece and it curled as well. C

  • northspruce
    10 years ago

    Braeburn, you need to use an external photo hosting site such as photobucket.com, and post the HTML text into your message.

  • braeburn040
    10 years ago

    Thank you northspruce, I'll get set up with them and give it a try. I'm set up with Flickr but I don't know if it works like that or not. (as you can probably tell I'm no computer whiz)

  • Konrad___far_north
    10 years ago

    Copie and paste, [direct link]
    below into URL Link, then name that link

    Here is a link that might be useful: Cedar Waxwing video

  • Konrad___far_north
    10 years ago

    Sorry,
    this last post was meant for the birding forum,..well, if you have a video then you can do it like this.

  • braeburn040
    10 years ago

    thanks for your help konrad, between you and northspruce I should be able to figure it out.
    Chic

  • Greg Draffin
    8 years ago

    Hi moonstarr, I just wanted to ask how your trees turned out after you made this post. I am having the exact same issues

  • donna_in_sask
    8 years ago

    A lot of the Schubert chokecherries in my neighbourhood are infected with blackknot...it's really unsightly.

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