Weeping Cherry Has Small Leaves?

Question:

I planted a weeping cherry tree a couple of months ago. Since then the leaves have not grown a bit. They are very small and they don't look healthy.

Jilla

Answer:

What you are describing sounds an awful lot like transplant shock. It's not uncommon for young trees to take an entire season to settle in and recover after you plant them. This is especially true in the case of potted trees, because their roots tend to be balled up from being kept in pots. It takes some time for the roots to venture out into garden soil and become established. Once they do, you should start to see some new growth in regards to leaves.

You can help your cherry tree settle in by making sure it is getting enough water. If Mother Nature doesn't provide it with a soaking rain once a week (1 to 2 inches), you are going to have to pitch in and help. Five to ten gallons of water once a week should be sufficient for most young trees.

To help conserve moisture, extend a layer of mulch 3-4 inches thick, out 6 to 8 inches from the trunk (leave at least 1 inch of space between the mulch and the trunk). Skip fertilizing until next season.

As long as your weeping cherry still has leaves (even small leaves that appear to be in limbo), your tree will likely recover just fine. You may even see a few lost leaves before it's all over.

If you start to see significant leaf loss, you might want to contact the nursery where you purchased it and inquire about their replacement policy. It's also a good idea to keep your receipts and document the tree's appearance with a few photos.

Ellen