weeping cherry tree question

[Sigarms]

Have a weeping cherry tree next to the house.

Already the leaves have started to change to yellow and are falling.

Is this normal?

First "season" in the new home and never had a weeping cherry tree before, so....

Live in central N.C and when we moved in the last month of March this year, tree seemd to be "well".

Any input would be appreciative (sp?)

Thanks

 

[Junkman]

If this is a new planting, then it needs watering immediately. The leaves shouldn't be falling yet unless the weather is turning cold. I would give it a deep water soaking at least twice a week. You want to make sure that the water gets down to the bottom of the roots and penetrates the surrounding soil. You can also put a few tree fertilizer stakes into the ground to feed the tree. Keep them about 30" from the trunk and don't use more than 3. They can be purchase from the local nursery, Home Depot, or Lowe's. I usually put them in in the spring, mid summer, and then in the late fall to slowly dissolve during the winter.

 

[Sigarms]

Thanks

Actually the tree is about 30' tall, so I figure its been here a while.

As far as getting colder, last couple of weeks it hit 100, now it is in the low 90s but....

Half the tree is yellow, half is green (leaves).

I would hate to have to take it down and put somthing else in /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Junkman]

Never seen a 30' weeping cherry tress...... can you post a picture?? Your original post sounded like a new home with a new tree.....

 

[Sigarms]

I stand corrected.

Probably more like 20' or a little higher (using a 10' basketball rim for reference),

House was built in 1988. Very "unique" setting with A LOT of landscaping features.

Tree sits about 20' off the house.

The house was unoccupied for close to 7 years (LONG story). Previous owner put in over 1000' of undergorund water piping for the area around the house for watering. On the 6 acres or so srrounding the house, there is over 45 trees of different "make". He planted them and other "shrubs/trees/plants so they would all bloom at different times of the year. Since the trees have "survived" for some time without the use of the irrigation system that he placed, I figured most of the tress would survive without the irrigation system.

I talked with the previous owner twice since I bought the house, he told me he put the irrigation system in when he planted all the new trees to make sure they go water (we also have to close to 400 yards worth of leeland (sp) trees surrounding the property.

The irrigation system no longer works due to "breakage" in the plastic pipes.

Sorry, still trying to figure out how to post pictures.

If you would like to pm me you prive e-mail address, I"ll make sure to send you some pictures.

Thanks

 

[meledward23]

This is not unusual in the deep south to see cherries go through what you are describing. More often than not it is a combination of heat stress and drought.

Check the leaves for any sign of diseas or insect damage.

 

[Sigarms]

Ok, is it just a "phase", do I stand a good chance of losing it? Water it like heck and hope for the best?

Really can't say it's been a drought.

Had some good rain due to the hurricanes and even looks like it's going to pour today.

 

[meledward23]

It's hard to say if it's just a phase, but 9/10 times I see this that is what it is. Unfortuantely I would say 19/20 times it doesn't make it.

Water the heck, NO! Cherries really are not water lovers. The biggest enemy typically is the heat. Really they are jsut a pain to care for. I dont like them from a commercial maintenance aspect.

One little tid bit, over watering = same problems as underwatering.

So while I think it is a phase./ If you are really concerend you might be able to get the local Hort Extension agent to stop by. Also you are in NC, NC State probably has a good extension unit although I am guessing her, but based on what I have heard about it I would think they do.

Best of luck.

If you can post images of the whole tree, and then a few of the leaves (top and bottom) that might help.

 

[Sigarms]

Checked the leaves.

They do have brown spots on them.

Driving back from the grocery store tonight, saw a weeping cherry about 8 miles away that looks like its going through the same "thing".

Junkman, you should be getting a private e-mail, let me know if you don't get it.

Thks

 

[Junkman]

Here are his pictures..... #1