Serviceberry drought or disease - Ask Extension
I just planted an autumn brilliance serviceberry on 6/27 (6.5 gallon/multi stem). It has been hot the last two days. The nursery suggested watering on...
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Serviceberry drought or disease #652010
Asked June 16, 2020, 10:31 PM EDT
I just planted an autumn brilliance serviceberry on 6/27 (6.5 gallon/multi stem). It has been hot the last two days. The nursery suggested watering once a week at a rate of 1 gallon per minute for 15 minutes. I watered it when I planted it and 7 days later I did the same. The tree appears to need water. The leaves are rolling and have a silver tint but the ground feels moist. Some leaves are also showing a red/yellow line that starts and stops at the stem and has a similar shape as the leaf. Inside of the line the leaf color is a rich green. Outside of the line the leaf appears to be dying as if the tree is in stress and it’s life blood is receding. I had an autumn maple in the same place previously and it died. I was told that it was due to lack of water or lack of iron. Prior to the trees being planted, this same area was overgrown by a very healthy juniper bush which was removed 8 years ago. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
I think that part of the problem is lack of water. I would have recommended watering every day for at least 2 - 3 weeks and then every other day for a couple more weeks, and then at least once a week.
Service berry can be affected by fire blight and the branch tip in the last picture is almost classic fire blight damage. There is also a rust that affects these plants, although I don't see the classic rust symptoms in the photo
Here are a couple of references that might be helpful. You can bring a sample to the Plant Clinic at the Jeffco Extension office on the fairgrounds Monday - Thursday between 8 and 5. They could confirm if fire blight is present
Service berry can be affected by fire blight and the branch tip in the last picture is almost classic fire blight damage. There is also a rust that affects these plants, although I don't see the classic rust symptoms in the photo
Here are a couple of references that might be helpful. You can bring a sample to the Plant Clinic at the Jeffco Extension office on the fairgrounds Monday - Thursday between 8 and 5. They could confirm if fire blight is present
Thanks Bruce! How much water should the tree get per day for the initial 2 weeks?
Give it at least 2 to 3 gallons a day, same when you go to fewer times a week