Question
Hello..I had a lace bark elm professionally planted in April of this year. This was to replace the same type of tree but moved location several yards. The first lace bark was 6 years old and died last autumn.  I was told it was bores.  I am sure this has nothing to do with my concerns...anyway the tree is possibly 12 feet tall with a trunk approximately 8 to 10 inches around. Beautiful tree, looks great, has not lost any leaves since it has been planted even with the hot temps at the present (100 degrees +, we live in Okla.). My problem is the color of leaves, they are more of a medium to light green color not the dark color of my last tree. My yard guy says that he was concerned, should I be?

Answer
Water would be the main concern for at least the first two years. Water 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. This is called deep watering and will encourage roots to grow deeper so they can withstand hot dry weather. If you have not done so mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk. This will help hold the moisture around the roots. It may need fertilizing to help the green color. I would use 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. I would do it now and again in the spring. DO NOT use any granular lawn fertilizer that contains a herbicide anywhere near this tree. Some of these are called Weed and Feed-these contain a herbicide that will kill the tree. Liquid herbicides for lawns are ok.