QuestionI recently planted a good sized contorted cherry in a tilled, soil amended (clay soil) zone 7 garden and I am seeing what seems to be transplant shock. We just moved here to Virginia from the Northeast and planted 12 trees, and this is the only one I'm concerned with? Maybe watering too much? Is there a way to tell if the tree is getting too much water? This drooping happened the day after planting
AnswerOver watering and un watering can cause a plant to wilt. A new planted tree needs about 1 inch of water every third day for the first month or so then 1 inch once a week through the growing season. Place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. Do this only if it does not rain. I agree it sounds like planting shock. If you have not done so mulch around the trees with not more than 3 inches of organic mulch. do not pile it up on the trunk. This will help hold moisture.