young Bing cherry tree sending many shoots from root, but upper leaves don't look too good - Ask Extension
In early April this year, I planted a young Bing cherry tree in my small orchard. At the time it was planted, I think the tree was probably still dorm...
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young Bing cherry tree sending many shoots from root, but upper leaves don't look too good #635145
Asked May 13, 2020, 6:02 PM EDT
In early April this year, I planted a young Bing cherry tree in my small orchard. At the time it was planted, I think the tree was probably still dormant because it had small buds but no other signs of green yet. Within a week or two of planting, it began to put out many shoots from its roots. The shoots came well before the first leaves on the branches. In the past week or so, it finally started growing some leaves, but very sparsely, and they don't look very good. The tree gets 3 hours of drip irrigation every other morning, which saturates the ground very well. It is planted in well draining sandy loam at approximately 4,800ft elevation, in full sun, in Fish Lake Valley. Temperatures have ranged from near freezing over night, to 95 degrees during the day, however most days have been cooler, about 85 degrees. The other two cherry trees I have planted in the same small orchard are doing great (same watering schedule, same climate, different varieties though). I am wondering if anything is wrong with this tree, since its sending up so many shoots, or if its okay but just very slow to leaf out? What should I do about the shoots? Should I cut them away so that more energy goes towards the main trunk and branches, or leave them alone? Does the tree look heat stressed? Perhaps the climate is not right for this variety (Bing)?
Thank you very much for any advice you can offer.
Thank you very much for any advice you can offer.
Esmeralda County Nevada
Expert Response
Hello and thank you for your question. Before I go into too much detail I wanted to see how the cherry tree is doing now, considering the question was submitted some time ago.
Please let me know and then I can advise you properly.
Please let me know and then I can advise you properly.
Wendy,
The cherry tree has gone downhill since my original post. The few leaves that were growing on the branches withered away and died. No new leaves have grown from any of the buds. It continues to send shoots up from the roots. I think it is a lost cause, but I am still wondering what might have been the problem.
Thank you!
The cherry tree has gone downhill since my original post. The few leaves that were growing on the branches withered away and died. No new leaves have grown from any of the buds. It continues to send shoots up from the roots. I think it is a lost cause, but I am still wondering what might have been the problem.
Thank you!
I have a feeling you are correct. Unfortunately, the fact that once you planted it the first growth you saw was from the rootstock, tells me there may have been interference in the trunk up to the branches. Many times this can be a bore or damage in the cambium. The rootstock is not really a tree you want to keep.
If you had any kind of a guarantee on the tree I would suggest contacting the company and telling them exactly what you told me that the rootstock started branching and leafing out but the main cherry tree above the grafting point never broke bud.
If you have other questions after this question closes in this portal you can text or call<personal data hidden>. I hope you can get a refund on your cherry and find another one.
If you had any kind of a guarantee on the tree I would suggest contacting the company and telling them exactly what you told me that the rootstock started branching and leafing out but the main cherry tree above the grafting point never broke bud.
If you have other questions after this question closes in this portal you can text or call<personal data hidden>. I hope you can get a refund on your cherry and find another one.
