| i have two very young red maples planted recently. the tips of the leaves have started turning brown. what caused this? |
| Newly planted trees have relatively small root systems until they become fully established. So they are subject to moisture stress, especially as the summer turns hot. Make sure the soil is kept evenly moist like a wrung out sponge, not saturated/sopping wet and not dried out. To know if you need to water, dig into the soil with your finger. If it is still damp, do not water yet. When you do water, apply it slowly and thoroughly so it soaks down deep to the deepest roots and encourages deeper rooting. After watering, wait a few hours and then dig down to see how far it went; sometimes this is surprising. Also, using an organic mulch two to three inches deep in a flat layer over the root area (should not touch the trunk) will also help keep the soil moist as well as gradually feed the soil as it breaks down over time. |
