Re: dying yews

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Posted by Newt on August 07, 2002 at 23:02:53:

In Reply to: dying yews posted by Sharon on July 29, 2002 at 08:51:20:

: I had alot of yews planted by a nursery in the spring of 2001. They seemed to plant them just fine, and did an initial watering and even mulched, free of charge! (They said the mulch would help retain moisture.) I was then unexpectedly away from home until October, and when I returned, to my horror, about half of the yews appeared dead. My question:

: The nursery says they were fine when they were planted. If they were outwardly healthy plants, is it probably my fault that they died? I would have thought that since they were planted properly, received a good initial watering and were mulched that they would make it until I got back, so I didn't make special arrangements for their care in my absence. What could I have done differently that might have kept them from such an untimely demise. In case geographic location makes a difference, I am in the St. Louis area.

: THANKS FOR YOUR VALUABLE INPUT!!!!!!!!!!

Uh oh, sounds like you are responsible for their demise. :,-( When plants are newly planted, they need a consistant supply of water to the root system. If there isn't an inch of rain per week, they should be watered deeply once a week or when the top inch of soil is dry. This should continue for at least the first year so that they can establish a good root system that will go deeply into the soil.

One possiblility to avoid this situation again is to use soaker hoses on a timer and have a friend or neighbor check weekly.

Good luck,
Newt

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: : I had alot of yews planted by a nursery in the spring of 2001. They seemed to plant them just fine, and did an initial watering and even mulched, free of charge! (They said the mulch would help retain moisture.) I was then unexpectedly away from home until October, and when I returned, to my horror, about half of the yews appeared dead. My question:

: : The nursery says they were fine when they were planted. If they were outwardly healthy plants, is it probably my fault that they died? I would have thought that since they were planted properly, received a good initial watering and were mulched that they would make it until I got back, so I didn't make special arrangements for their care in my absence. What could I have done differently that might have kept them from such an untimely demise. In case geographic location makes a difference, I am in the St. Louis area.

: : THANKS FOR YOUR VALUABLE INPUT!!!!!!!!!!

:
: Uh oh, sounds like you are responsible for their demise. :,-( When plants are newly planted, they need a consistant supply of water to the root system. If there isn't an inch of rain per week, they should be watered deeply once a week or when the top inch of soil is dry. This should continue for at least the first year so that they can establish a good root system that will go deeply into the soil.

: One possiblility to avoid this situation again is to use soaker hoses on a timer and have a friend or neighbor check weekly.

: Good luck,
: Newt

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