QuestionQUESTION: Dear Jim- We have five river birch trees that we had planted in our yard last fall. The location seems perfect as it is a low spot that rain slopes down to.
I have noticed that other river birch trees in the area have begun to get leaves but the buds on our trees are not even green yet. {it is April 25th} Is this because these are recently transplanted trees and that they may be a little "slower"? Any input is appreciated !
Sincerely-Ed
ANSWER: I think you are correct. I would give them more time and IF they do not leaf out by mid or late May there maybe some concern.
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QUESTION: Do these trees need more water than they normally would given the fact that they are new ?
AnswerI would water if it doe not rain with 1 inch of water per week. Place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. Do not fertilize the tree until the Fall. Then use 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb. per inch of trunk diameter.