Burr Oak Planting

jtbutter · 2nd June 2011, 01:49 PM

Greetings! I'm new to the site and need some help. We recently bought a Burr Oak from the local Home Depot in a 45gallon container. Tree was in good shape and leaves looked great.

It took me several days to plant it. Followed the normal rules, hole twice as big and deep. Prep'd the hole and such and planted the root ball. Have been giving it a good soaking every night.

We have been having high winds so the leaves are taking a beating. The tree is about 20' foot tall or so, so it's not a seedling per say.

The question is this, all the leaves seem to be drying and dying off. I suspect it is just in shock.

Am I correct? Am I watering to much for a new oak, to little? Surely it isn't dying.

any help and info is greatly appreciated!

Thanks a million!!!!

Eric Frei · 2nd June 2011, 02:16 PM

I hope you maintained original grade and didn't plant it too deep.

What was the soil like it came with, soil or potting mix crap?

And of course, pictures would be great.

How did you lift it?

What sort of container? How did you get the tree out of the container?

jtbutter · 2nd June 2011, 02:47 PM

It was potted in what I believe was potting/mulch mix type stuff. I simply cut around the bottom of the plastic container and peeled it away. I did this right at the edge of the hole and gently rolled it into the hole.

I'll get pictures in the morning.

Eric Frei · 2nd June 2011, 07:19 PM

That potting mix crap gets hydrophobic fast, and definitely within 2 weeks.

You can water but it beads up and runs through.

Use a soil wetting agent, water that root ball and the edge of that root ball so there's a decent moisture level to help roots grow outwards.

In the water you can also add some seaweed extract product and maybe some organic soluble like blood/bone etc .... no crazy fertilisers like Miracle Grow.

jtbutter · 3rd June 2011, 02:04 AM

I did plant the ball in a top soil/compost mix. About 16" thick below and around and top of ball.

I've been watering deep and soaking it from above (which is why I'm wondering if I'm watering to much)

Here are some pictures of the tree

jtbutter · 3rd June 2011, 02:17 AM

ok lets try this again

2nd June 2011, 01:49 PM	#1
jtbutter I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: albuquerque, nm Posts: 4	Burr Oak Planting Greetings! I'm new to the site and need some help. We recently bought a Burr Oak from the local Home Depot in a 45gallon container. Tree was in good shape and leaves looked great. It took me several days to plant it. Followed the normal rules, hole twice as big and deep. Prep'd the hole and such and planted the root ball. Have been giving it a good soaking every night. We have been having high winds so the leaves are taking a beating. The tree is about 20' foot tall or so, so it's not a seedling per say. The question is this, all the leaves seem to be drying and dying off. I suspect it is just in shock. Am I correct? Am I watering to much for a new oak, to little? Surely it isn't dying. any help and info is greatly appreciated! Thanks a million!!!!

2nd June 2011, 02:16 PM	#2
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,990	Re: Burr Oak Planting I hope you maintained original grade and didn't plant it too deep. What was the soil like it came with, soil or potting mix crap? And of course, pictures would be great. How did you lift it? What sort of container? How did you get the tree out of the container? __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

2nd June 2011, 02:47 PM	#3
jtbutter I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: albuquerque, nm Posts: 4	Re: Burr Oak Planting It was potted in what I believe was potting/mulch mix type stuff. I simply cut around the bottom of the plastic container and peeled it away. I did this right at the edge of the hole and gently rolled it into the hole. I'll get pictures in the morning.

2nd June 2011, 07:19 PM	#4
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,990	Re: Burr Oak Planting That potting mix crap gets hydrophobic fast, and definitely within 2 weeks. You can water but it beads up and runs through. Use a soil wetting agent, water that root ball and the edge of that root ball so there's a decent moisture level to help roots grow outwards. In the water you can also add some seaweed extract product and maybe some organic soluble like blood/bone etc .... no crazy fertilisers like Miracle Grow. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

3rd June 2011, 02:04 AM	#5
jtbutter I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: albuquerque, nm Posts: 4	Re: Burr Oak Planting I did plant the ball in a top soil/compost mix. About 16" thick below and around and top of ball. I've been watering deep and soaking it from above (which is why I'm wondering if I'm watering to much) Here are some pictures of the tree

3rd June 2011, 02:17 AM	#6
jtbutter I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: albuquerque, nm Posts: 4	Re: Burr Oak Planting ok lets try this again Attached Thumbnails

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