Unhappy Yews

[Lamu]

We planted about 90 root balled 175cm trees just over 7 weeks ago. They've had plenty of rain lots of mulch, manure, blood, fish & bone but about 10 seem to have browning leaves. What have we done wrong and is there anyway to make them happy as I'd hate to loose them.

[Ferguson]

I can only suspect maybe the 'diet' was TOO rich for them; but I'm only guessing.

[shovetheholly]

90 yew trees! Wow, it's going to look gorgeous!!

I suspect some of them may simply have a bit of shock after being transplanted. Alternatively, if you have really heavy clay soil, they could be waterlogged, in which case digging in loads of grit around the roots may help.

[Lamu]

Shove, yes they should be lovely if they all survive. The next 30 odd will be done in the autumn. We really needed it, as all we had was post and rail fencing. Looking forward to sunbathing in the nud.

What if anything can I do about the shock? I've been looking into it and is seems it's a common problem with yews. Some areas are prone to waterlogging. Hoping for some dryer weather soon!

[shovetheholly]

I would get out any that are in waterlogged soil and get some grit in - really quite a lot of it. If there are problems, e.g. they are sitting with their feet in water, you'll notice when you get them out. Also, if they are too dry (the opposite problem!!) you will notice.

For shock, I don't know what you do. Hopefully some of the professionals can help. I know a woman who swears by a weak solution of sugar in water, but I find it hard to believe this actually works! I still do it anyway on first sign of problems though

I am JEALOUS of your sunbathing! No chance of that here in Sheffield, not even in July. Though even if I could there would be no way of stopping the neighbours getting an eyeful, and that really wouldn't be nice for them!!

[Quook]

I always thought that there was always a bit of fall out when planting young trees. Are they guaranteed by the seller? Have you checked the quality of the roots?

[shovetheholly]

That's so interesting about rootgrow. I've been wondering if that stuff works - sounds like it's brilliant. Can I ask what brand you bought so I can get some too?

[Lamu]

Thanks all. Two other nurseries I looked at using wouldn't guarantee the plants. And I'm not sure if this one did. Will certainly look into it.

I wish I had known about root grow before the trees went in. I've just looked online and it doesn't seem like you can add it retrospectively, although they do suggest drilling holes down then sprinkling the granules down. There's no guarantee it will work. Perhaps we'll try that as a last resort. I'll give them a few more weeks, fingers crossed for no further damage.

[shovetheholly]

The mycorrhizal associations will establish on their own accord lamu - just perhaps a little more slowly! I don't think the lack of them will be what is causing the brownness/dying, though I could be wrong.

I'm definitely using rootgrow on anything bare-rooted in future!

[DoreenLethal]

I don't think the lack of mycorrhizal root grow will cause the brownness either - the heavy nutrient addition might have burnt the roots though.