You have planted a new tree fresh from the nursery, and you can’t wait to enjoy all the benefits of having the tree on your property. Then, you find out that the tree appears to be dying a few days later.
Did you buy a sick tree from the nursery? Did you do something wrong while transplanting? While both are possibilities, your tree probably suffers from tree transplant shock. Tree acclimation after transplant takes a while. Transplant shock is normal during the earliest stages.
Atlanta’s ultimate tree services provider covers all you need to know about this phenomenon and how you can help your tree recover.
The Causes of Tree Transplant Shock
Transplant shock refers to the range of symptoms a tree suffers after it is first moved to a new site. The tree suffers these symptoms because it operates with a smaller root system than what it really needs to survive.
Therefore, the tree can’t absorb enough water and nutrients from the soil to support itself.
The Symptoms of Tree Transplant Stress
Some of the symptoms of a tree dealing with tree transplant shock include:
Wilting
Leaf discoloration
Leaf loss
Stunted growth
Branch dieback
Late spring budding
How To Help Your Tree Recover From Transplant Shock
The approaches to minimizing transplant shock in trees all involve making the environment more conducive for the tree. Some of the things you can do include the following:
Water Deeply and Regularly
Since newly transplanted trees have shallow roots, you have to water deeply and more regularly to increase the chances of absorption. This is especially true for species more sensitive to drought. However, pay attention to avoid drowning the roots.
Apply Mulch
Natural mulch (such as wood chips) can help reduce the impact of tree transplant shock because it helps retain soil moisture and can protect the roots against extreme temperatures. As the mulch decomposes over time, it can also help improve soil quality.
Spread two to four inches of mulch around the base of the tree (away from the trunk in a doughnut shape) to hasten the tree’s recovery from transplant shock.
Prune Diseased, Dead, Broken Branches
If the tree transplant shock lasts a while, you may notice diseased or dead branches around the tree. Pruning away these branches can hasten your tree’s recovery process. The tree can channel energy toward coping with tree transplanting stress instead of trying to revive the dead, diseased, or broken branches.
Consider Replanting
If the transplant shock seems to be worsening despite your best efforts, the problem probably lies in the transplanting process. Did you plant the tree in the right-sized hole? The planting hole needs to be two to three times the tree’s root spread. If the hole is too small, you should consider replanting the tree.
Get Help for Tree Transplant Shock From the Pros
Have you done all you can to get your newly transplanted tree thriving without success? We can help.
Call Monster Tree Service of North Atlanta today at (770) 872-6759 to book an appointment or get tips for preventing dieback in trees.