Problem with Red Oak

[soonerman]

I live in Oklahoma City and recently planted two Red Oaks.

They were B&B types of trees.

They look great at the nursey.

It has been about two weeks since I planted them and the leaves are starting to wilt.

They soil is clay rich so I dug the holes bigger than they need to be and had some top soil.

It has been pretty wet over the last week or so due to the stroms.

Any ideas or do I just need some patients

[White Gardens]

Have some patience. You more than likely have some shock going on. Did you buy them wholesale or retail? I only ask because you might have a warranty on them. I've known a couple of companies who were doing the wholesale business, planted $5000 in plants, and had to cover them when they all died. I don't mind spending a little extra buying plants from a retailer and have them cover the plants.

If you end up replanting them, try using a power auger, or post hole digger in the center of your hole and fill it with fill sand or just better dirt. This has worked for me when I thought I did a good job digging the hole out bigger in heavy clay soil. I lost two trees in a row, dug a well in the center, had no problems since.

[Az Gardener]

Some Causes for decline in trees and plants in general are.

Planting too deep but that usually takes more time to cause problems
Air pockets that allow fungus to grow but you need some warm soil for that and they will be fine one day and look dead the next day with a fungus. The leaves will be dried and shriveled and still attached
If your rootball is a different soil type than the clay and the surrounding clay is dry the clay will act like a sponge and draw the moisture away from the rootball. Even though you may be watering the tree it may not e getting the benefit of it.
Damaging the rootball during transport or while planting will usually show right away as the tree will be unable to take up water or nutrients[LIST]
Too much water looks a lot like not enough water, old growth/leaves yellowing first is a sign of too much water wilty new growth or tips is not enough water


My best guess is either too much or too little water.

[JNyz]

Sounds like you didn't cover or tarp the trees while transporting them.

[soonerman]

JNyz...this maybe a stupid question.

I did not know that I should cover them while transporting.

I transported them rough 40 miles in the back of pickup they were laying down and roughly half of the tree was covered but the tops were sticking out the back.

So if the transporting of the trees was the problem...do I still have a chance that they will make it or did I sign my own fate by being cheap?

[daveyo]

Sounds like you didn't cover or tarp the trees while transporting them.

Exactly what I thought, but that would show that or the next day, did it?

[soonerman]

It took me a week or so after I got them home to get them into the ground.

They looked good until I planted them about a week ago.

[JNyz]

Exactly what I thought, but that would show that or the next day, did it?


it would if you were checking it out everyday???

[soonerman]

JNzy...not sure I understand your last post.

If it is due to poor transporting and being beaten by the wind do you think the tree is lost?

[JNyz]

Hey Soonerman,

To me it seems like something happened from the time of purchase to the actual install. What size caliper were they? Can you post a pic? Did you water them everyday while they were sitting. Just retrace your steps and let us know. From your last two posts I would guess the transporting of them did some damage. They are not gone until all the leaves fall off. Post a pic and let us see.

Thanks

J Nyz

[Az Gardener]

The wind blown issue is very minor they will recover fine if that is the problem. If they are sitting in a bowl of water meaning the holes are not draining just holding the recent rain you received. That is a big problem.

Look very closely at the buds and see if you see them swelling. This will tell you if they are beginning to push out some new growth.

[soonerman]

Thanks for all the input... here is a picture of the leaves, this afternoon.

[LawnMowerBoy48]

Possibly Oak Anthracnose?

[soonerman]

Oak Anthrancose?
I bit of info I would like to pass on is that we have a clear stream system or aerobic septic system. The waste water is processed in a series of tanks then sprinklers spray the water on to the yard. My two oaks are very close to one of these sprinklers.
Could the two be related?
Should I keep my trees away from these sprinklers?

[Az Gardener]

Your sprinklers are probably putting out water with a Ph of 8 or higher but I think it takes more time to build up salts to cause problems like you are showing. I would check that out for the future but for now I think it is a combination of some wind whipped leaves and too much water.

[JNyz]

its wind burn. if you can live with it, it could grow out.

[Earthworker]

Did you get some frost a couple weeks ago? May be a touch of that also.

[soonerman]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I can live with a ugly tree as long as I know it is going to make it.

Frost...I don't think so. It did get cold a few nights but don't think it was below freezing.

[soonerman]

What about fertilizers and or miracle grow?

Most of the stuff I have read says not to put anything into the hole besides time released fertilizers. There was a liittle fertilizer in with the root ball but I did not seen much.

[JNyz]

Do not use any fertilizer. Just try to let it grow out. You might get lucky. It does not have to be below freezing to have a frost. Also we are talking about oaks here, a frost would not have an effect on an oak. Some people just like to post to post and don't have a clue! Good Luck and keep us posted.

[daveyo]

it would if you were checking it out everyday???

Umm why wouldn't you check out the tree the day you were planting it. Do you just ignore the condition of the tree and plant it? Not really rocket science, you didn't tarp the trees during transport, I bet you do for now on. Now the customer or you have to live with wind whipped trees until they recover, sorry but a mildly hard lesson learned. Personally I wouldn't have planted them that way.

[soonerman]

I most definitely will tarp trees next time.

I checked on the trees daily when I got them the home. It took a few days for me to dig the holes and get them into the ground. I planted three of them all in the same day. When I planted this one it looked good and maybe the best of all of them. Only one of the trees looks bad.

I think the problem was over watering after I got them home along with the wind burn.

Thanks for the help.

[JNyz]

good luck. don't let it scare you from doing another job.