Question
HELP!!

I am a terrible gardener, but I try hard!

Two years ago, I planted a Crepe Myrtle, thinking it would survive well
because they are indigenous to the Brazos Valley (Texas), where I live. It died.

Last year, I replaced it with a Weeping Redbud. It also died.

This year, I read everything I could about a Weeping Higan Cherry, and tried
to plant it per instructions (in a different site than the two previous trees). I
bought it from Lowe's. It's about 8' tall. We have received quite a bit of rain
recently, but I have also supplemented with the garden hose during the dryer
spells.

Several weeks after I planted the tree, I noticed tiny black bugs...they looked
like tiny ants....crawling on it, and the fact that the leaves were eaten. I called
my pest control guy, and he sprayed the bugs.

I haven't seen any more bugs since then, but now my tree's leaves are
dropping terribly. It looks like the tree is wilting, and some of the leaves are
drying up and dying.

I don't want to lose this tree, but I don't know what to do?!!  Am I not
watering enough? Watering too much? Does it have blight or some other
affliction?

Please help!!
Lynn McDaniel
--



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4103 South Texas Avenue, Suite 214
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Answer
Lynn,

I think there is a possibility that the spraying that was done may have sent the tree into shock. Newly planted trees should not be treated for at least 6 months after they are planted.

Symptoms of over and under watering a plant are almost identical up top, but cause different problems in the soil. Over watering drowns out the roots, while under watering causes the same roots to dry out, I would recommend checking the soil around the tree to make sure there is no drainage problems. Water only when the soil dries out and water deeply- lay the hose at the base and let it trickle for a few hours.

Put down fertilizer spikes for the tree to take up. This should help the tree start to recover sooner.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen