Amelanchier

[LindaB53]

Hi, I have an amelanchier tree which is approx 15 years old. This year it has no flowers or leaves and looks dead, but there is still green under the bark. I did notice that last year the leaves were quite sparse. Is it dead/dying or is there any chance it can be revived? Thanks in advance😀

The weather over the last two years has not been kind to a lot of trees. Freezing -12, boiling +40, floods, drought, storm force winds, all sorts. I know of several different species of tree round here that have looked on the way out, and this year they have begun to show signs of life again.

Where there is life there is hope, and if you have found green on it, then my advice would be to wait. Give it another 12 months. You have nothing to lose by waiting.

"Where there is life there is hope". This is a beautiful thought to hold on to.
Be patient and it might recover.

Interesting that you posted this.

I also have or had a 15 yr old Amelanchier. This year it is definitely dead.

I did wonder whether it's been too dry and that maybe I should have been watering it in dry spells...I always just assumed that because it's an established tree it would take up enough water.

A few years ago my then approx 15 yr old autumn flowering cherry tree suddenly looked dead with all leaves nearly gone and remaining ones looking quite sorry. I think it was a very dry year that year and/or the year before.

I was really bereft at the thought of losing the tree and looked everywhere for advice but didn't quite find anything helpful.

As there was nothing to lose other than the tree, we bought some fish blood and bones and chucked a very liberal sprinkling around the base of the tree and watered thoroughly during the following weeks and the tree completely recovered. We assume that there was not enough water/root uptake and therefore not enough nutrients.

However, as there had been a lot of rain recently, it might not be the reason for your tree but I just wanted to let you know in case it might help.

That's really helpful, thanks. I'll feed it and be patient 🙂

I'd feed and mulch it. I've just planted an amelenchier as they're quite beautiful. It would be a shame to lose it.