Transplant Shock? Is this normal? - Ask Extension
I just bought two cherry trees (Lapins and Rainier) and had them shipped here from South Carolina. I planted them last week, and I heard that the leav...
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Transplant Shock? Is this normal? #450436
Asked April 29, 2018, 4:39 PM EDT
I just bought two cherry trees (Lapins and Rainier) and had them shipped here from South Carolina. I planted them last week, and I heard that the leaves should be perking up after only 2-3 days after planting, but they still look pretty droopy and some are yellowish. I watered them well, and it also rained later in the week. Are they ok? Is there anything else I can do to help them get established? The Rainier looks a little better than the Lapins.
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
These trees are in shock due to the change in temperature between So. Carolina and Michigan. Keep trees moist but not sopping wet soil. Once the soil has warmed in 10-14 days, mulch around the trees in a “donut” shape, leaving about a 10-12 inch diameter hole in the middle of the mulch around the trunk. The leaves may die and drop, but new buds should push out new leaves later this spring.
In future if you have more trees shipped, and the temperature here is colder than the source, be sure to store the trees inside a garage or cool basement, keep them moist, and set them out after danger of frost is past— typically Memorial day weekend.
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