Can these trees make it ???

[pharmvet]

My wife and kids and I planted 32 white oak trees up the drive way where we plan to build in the next year or so. I did not get the trees in the ground as quickly as I should have (time). I actually purchased them about a month ago. I kept them watered well prior to planting (they were in 1 gal buckets). I watered them in good when I planted them. I mulched them well also. I presently have no water supply (coming soon) so I am watering them with 5 gallon buckets (small hole drilled in the bottom) I am carrying water in 55 gallon barrels in a trailer and filling the 5 gallon buckets by hand. These pics are a pretty good representation of how most of the trees look. Do you think they can make it? Any suggestions on how to increase my odds are most welcomed. thanks

 

[Western]

Mike, I had planted some I bought from the state nursery last Spring that did "ok" and looked worse than yours. In the end I lost quite a few last summer, but mainly because I didn't keep up with the water. The ones that made it look great right now. I added about a half teaspoon of 13-13-13 fert about 4" below the roots, dont know if that hurt/ helped me.

On the local news Friday evening (Channel 8), the Texas forest service estimates between 100 million - 500 million trees where lost or would die as a result of last summers drought state wide, they also said it may take up to 3 years for some large trees to finally succumb from it. Truly a sad thing, since it takes so long to grow a nice Oak tree.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

You might try watering them with Miracle Grow solution. That will help them put on new growth and repair the roots.

 

[dex3361]

They likely will not grow much for the first 2 years. You planted the right size for success but leaving them un planted may be their demise. Watering them with just a little weak fertilizer if any at all. The roots will not reach out fast enough if you put to much fertilizer on them. :thumbsup:

 

[rgood]

Where I'm from the trees won't stand a chance as they don't appear to be protected from the deer. Other than that, they have a good chance.

 

[RobertBrown]

If you see white oaks growing nearby then yes. But if you don't.....probably not.
White oaks are like many other oaks that require specific growing conditions. A few feet in elevation can make all the difference.
You may spend years trying to get tham to establish, but if they don't grow in those conditions your wasting your time.
look at the soil conditions where they are growing then check your own and see how they match up.
You may have to to pick a different tree.
Look around your area and see what type of trees are growing there.

 

[TedBell]

If you water them at least once a week they will probably make it. Just put yourself on a schedule for watering and stick to it.

 

[NormB]

The foliage appears to be excessive on such a small tree as they are obviously stressed.
My preference would be to remove the unhealthy foliage and reduce the healthy.

NormB

 

[ncnurseryman]

Trees that small will need extra attention. Your priority this summer is the root system. They look stressed already so keep up the watering. Depending on your location one watering per week may not be enough, so close watch is necessary, just don't over water. That's hard to determine sometimes. Good luck and don't fertilize with 10-10-10 next spring. Use a slow release type instead.

 

[pharmvet]

For those of you who know, tell me more about pruning these trees. Would it be best to remove the dead leaves? What about the 1/2 dead leaves? If so, exactly where do I cut? Im assuming scissors would be best?? Any and all information appreciated. thanks again.

 

[johnrex62]

I have been using gator bags to water newly planted trees. These are a product with a function similar to what you are using the buckets. They recommend a 15 gallon bag to be filled once a week for most saplings, and it delivers the water over a 6-10 hour period.

My results have been very good when I religiously refill the bags every week. It would seem that with your buckets the delivery time will be quicker and you will only have about 5 gallons per fill. It would seem to me that you will need to fill them at least 2-3 times per week to provide enough water the first year. Perhaps more depending on the rainfall and evaporation rate of your soil.

If you can keep them alive for a couple years, then I think you will have it made.

 

[ncnurseryman]

I wouldn't worry about pruning now, your focuse is in the roots. It's best to prune in the winter when the trees are dormant.

 

[pharmvet]

Ok, thanks. I have accepted the fact that they will probably not grow much this summer, but will they drop the dead leaves and put on new ones if I water them properly? thanks

 

[greasemonkeyok]

You might try contacting TAMU. There is also some information at:

Texas Tree Selector

The problem with stressed trees is that they are more vulnerable to pests, and the pests kill the tree, not the event causing the stress.

 

[NormB]

Not to contradict ncnurseryman, but my choice would be to prune some of the excess foliage and leave only a couple of the healthier branches. This will be far less taxing on the weakened and developing root system that has to feed all the excess wood that currently exist.

 

[k0ua]

Wife says, leave the leaves alone, and get some natural root stimulator/fertilizer, (buy at Lowes or any good nursery) and keep watering. They should come out of it.

James (advice from Linda)

 

[pharmvet]

Also, many have recommended lots of mulch. Do you feel that will be beneficial? thanks

 

[k0ua]

Also, many have recommended lots of mulch. Do you feel that will be beneficial? thanks

Well she is still in bed, but I can tell you she puts mulch around all of her plants to hold in moisture, so I am thinking, yes on the mulch. On her little trees, she makes kind of a ring around the tree, with the mulch not touching the actual tree bark, but making kind of a crater.

James K0UA

 

[ncnurseryman]

K0ua is right on the mark. Mulch up on the trunk is a sure way to kill them.

 

[dmccarty]

K0ua is right on the mark. Mulch up on the trunk is a sure way to kill them.

For some reason landscapers near us make mulch mountains around trees. At work they have done this and so many pretty ornamental trees have died. I never saw these mulch mountains until I moved to NC. I would put down a thick LAYER of mulch around the base of the sapling. It will help retain the water that tree will need and hopefully keep weeds away.

Later,
Dan