Knowledgebase
Young Oak Tree Problem #836393
Asked June 19, 2023, 12:16 PM EDT
This young Nutall oak tree was doing very well for about a month (planted mid-May), then just about a week ago the leaves started turning white, then drying and curling. We live in a pinion-juniper area on the south side of the Grand Mesa, and had a very wet, cool, stormy spring. I believe this tree may have been shipped from a Florida nursery. Is it something treatable? Thank you.
Delta County Colorado
Expert Response
The tree could be suffering from some shock. Be sure that it is receiving adequate water:
https://csfs.colostate.edu/seedling-tree-nursery/planting-guide/ (and particularly the video on caring for new seedlings)
Nuttall oak should be hardy to USDA hardiness zone 6, but stock from Florida may not be well adapted for Colorado conditions. You can find your hardiness zone here: USDA Hardiness Zone Map. I would monitor the water closely and see if it recovers.
It could also be getting a little crispy from the stronger sun we have here, so if managing water more closely doesn't seem to be helping, you could also try a little shade cloth, maybe a 30% cloth until the tree is a little more established. 30% means it blocks 30% of the light, letting 70% through.
