Bare root dogwood trees do not leaf

Gardenfan

I ordered two Cherokee Chief Dogwood trees last fall online. They came as bare root. I planted them right away upon receiving. However, they did not leaf until the end of April. I requested a replacement with other trees that didn't come through the winter. I received the replacement late in May and planted them right away. Most other replaced trees have leafed but the two dogwood trees don't.

The initial order might have been too late so that many trees didn't come through the cold winter. However, the replacement should be fine because most other trees have turned green. Do I need special care for dogwood trees or they may take much longer time to "wake up" from the dormant? I'd appreciate it if an arborist could advise me.

Thanks a lot.

Brent Ferris

In our area, on the edge of where Cornus florida can grow, these trees need to be protected from the wind and have a favourable microclimate,. The white variety has already bloomed in the Toronto area, and the bloom is waning. I would expect zone 7 the bloom would have come and gone and the tree should be in full leaf and growing well. If no leaves have come out, could we get a pic of the buds? or are the branches pliable or brittle. If the branches are brittle, and/or the buds dry, your replacements are worthless and you need new replacements. But, replacing shrubs is costly for the vendor. They may hope you will just give up, since with your order he is already at a loss. Personally, I gave up on-line ordering, preferring to buy from a nursery where I can inspect the plant before I buy.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Gardenfan

Thanks a lot!

There is no sprouting green on them, all seem dry but. The branches are brittle. I'm not sure how long it would take for these trees to wake up from dormant. A Red Crape Myrtle was in the same situation. Howerver, this morning, I noticed a couple of green spots coming out, which is encouraging. So, there might be some hope but I'm getting concerned. Based on what you say, these trees should not be like this. If they die, I'll give up this online nursery. Their dormant tree stock may be outdated.

The reason for not buying from local nurseries was not only pricewise (>$100) but also difficult to bring them home since not small dogwood trees can be found.

Really appreciate your advice.

Brent Ferris

I agree local nurseries cost more, but you can see and feel how viable the planting stock is. And you get to pick the one you like. Most nurseries will deliver for a fee, some will plant and some will then offer an extra year of warranty. It is hard to say about the stock you received, but it may have died over the winter, and then shipped out since still in a dormant state., You can wait and see, but if the branches are brittle, the bark is dried out, the buds have no moisture, I wouldn't spend more time on it, unless it is in an area you can just wait and see.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Gardenfan

Thanks again. Actually, I was almost buying a big one when I ordered 18 cf topsoil. The nursery would deliver the tree w/o additional charge. I'll buy a big one next spring (I'm not sure if any nursery sells these trees late in fall) if these don't come through.

Brent Ferris

Personally, I prefer to buy the trees in the Spring,. THe argument is that trees planted in the fall have a jump on spring because they are already in the ground when the frost comes out of the ground vs those that are planted in the Spring having to wait until the ground dries out to plant. BUt, trees bought in the Spring have over-wintered successfully at the nurseries cost. If you put a tree in in the fall, and it is a tough winter - excess cold, ice, heavy snow, high winds etc -- the tree may not survive and it has to be replaced in the spring. And if it is a very cold winter with minimal snow cover, the roots won't grow much (if at all) during the winter, but the root ball also won't be anchoring the tree. So fall bought trees are cheaper -- because you have to look after the care of the tree thru the winter.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Brent Ferris

And you do appreciate adding a lot of topsoil can suffocate the tree roots and kill off established plantings? As little as 2 inches of settled topsoil will do the trick......

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Gardenfan

I, not only think so but also had the experience to prove your point as most trees I bought in fall did not come through and the same group of tree replacement are mostly green now. I think trees bought in fall face much longer worse conditions. If one has to buy trees in fall, it would be better to have their trees to have >1.5 months to settle before the fist frost.

Unfortunately, many bare-root selling nurseries don't know or don't do QC for their dormant trees. some trees may not be able to stay dormant too long. Therefore, too late in the spring one may have a better chance to get dead trees.

Online tree business is new. many nurseries may not know how to do QC. If they have a few arcs, they can make big money before they get all customers hurt. by that time, they are ready to retire. however, they cannot do anything they want. I've seen a nursery trapped into legal processes.

Gardenfan

Thanks. I do.