Newly planted Lodgepole pine - Ask Extension
We have a newly planted lodgepole pine that is experiencing needle browning, We water with a soaker ring about 1 gallon per day and there is no puddli...
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Newly planted Lodgepole pine #712046
Asked August 11, 2020, 11:19 AM EDT
We have a newly planted lodgepole pine that is experiencing needle browning, We water with a soaker ring about 1 gallon per day and there is no puddling. What should we look for and what can be done to prevent further damage.
It looks like the tree was planted deeper than some of the branches. what can be done to rectify. should i replant or just pull away some of the dirt covering the rootball.
It looks like the tree was planted deeper than some of the branches. what can be done to rectify. should i replant or just pull away some of the dirt covering the rootball.
Grand County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi there-
Was this tree 'professionally' planted or did you do it yourself? Planting a tree too deep is one of the major reasons trees fail in the future. The trunk flare should be just at the top of the soil, and the original soil (whether in the pot or from the soil it was dug from if balled and burlapped) should be 'level' or just above the existing soil level. If the tree isn't established yet, now is the time to correct these issues.
Everything you need to know about planting trees the RIGHT way is located in the CSU Garden Notes:https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/633.pdf
You'll note in this document, too, that you're probably not watering enough, especially with as hot and dry as it is now. The rootball and backfill area all need soaked every day or every-other day until the soil freezes, and the area needs to be wet when it freezes up for the year. A gallon of water is not enough and you'll need to water it with a hose.
I hope this helps. let me know if you need more info.
Was this tree 'professionally' planted or did you do it yourself? Planting a tree too deep is one of the major reasons trees fail in the future. The trunk flare should be just at the top of the soil, and the original soil (whether in the pot or from the soil it was dug from if balled and burlapped) should be 'level' or just above the existing soil level. If the tree isn't established yet, now is the time to correct these issues.
Everything you need to know about planting trees the RIGHT way is located in the CSU Garden Notes:https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/633.pdf
You'll note in this document, too, that you're probably not watering enough, especially with as hot and dry as it is now. The rootball and backfill area all need soaked every day or every-other day until the soil freezes, and the area needs to be wet when it freezes up for the year. A gallon of water is not enough and you'll need to water it with a hose.
I hope this helps. let me know if you need more info.
Thank you. The Trees were planted by a landscaping company. They were obviously not very professional. The root ball ended up about 6-8" below grade. I assume we should transplant the tree higher. The tree has been in about 6 weeks. Do you see any problems with doing
that?
that?
The tree won't have had time to get established yet, so now's the time to make the change. I think the tree will be happier (and so will you be) if it's brought up to the right grade now. And don't forget to water the rootball and backfill area as soon as you're done replanting and keep it watered through the time the ground freezes.
Best-
Best-
