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Burr Oak later foliage #868076

Asked May 12, 2024, 1:07 PM EDT

I had two burr oak trees professionally planted in October of 2022. This year one of them is showing new growth, it's small but it is there. The other looks like a stick. I've attached a photo of something I hope is new growth on the tree that looks like a stick. Is it possible that it is just too soon for these trees to have new leaves? Our ash tree and maple tree have plenty of leaves. Thank you.

Washington County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for your question.  Before answering it, I need four additional pieces of information:

1).  The picture you sent depicts a rather large tree.  Exactly how big were these two trees when they were transplanted in 2022?

2).  In the picture that you sent, is this the tree showing new growth?  If so, I don't see any new growth on the tree.

3).  Please send me a picture of the other tree.  Presumably this would be the tree that "looks like a stick".

4).  What did these two trees look like during the 2023 season?

Many thanks for providing this information.  I'll look forward to receiving it.



  

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 12, 2024, 3:20 PM EDT
Thanks for the reply. I’ve attached two pictures of each tree and Lily the Lab for context. 
Both trees had a few leaves last summer, but they were so young we didn’t expect a lot. We had them treated by a company we’ve worked with before and we kept them watered. 
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On Sun, May 12, 2024 at 2:20 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 12, 2024, 3:55 PM EDT

Thanks for your response and the pictures. BTW, good looking dog!

In your situation, I believe that jumping to quick decisions and replacing the trees is premature. Since these trees were planted rather late in 2022, the leaves that emerged in 2023 largely reflected growth during 2022. This was to be expected based upon their recent transplanting. Growth during 2023 would determine the amount of foliage appearing now (2024). With the two trees still becoming adjusted to their new surroundings in 2023, I am not all that surprised by what you are now observing.

The primary question to be asked now (mid-May 2024), is whether the trees are dead or alive. Clearly the tree (#2) in the pictures show signs of life. Tree #1 seems problematic. So here is what I would like you to do for both trees:

1. For as many branches that you can reach, on BOTH trees, scrape away a small amount of the bark. Use either your fingernail or a sharp knife.

2). If the exposed underlying tissue is yellowish-green, the branch is alive and is just being slow to show leaf growth.

3). If the exposed underlying tissue is brownish-tan, the branch is dead and could be removed.

Try to do this little experiment for several disparate branches on both trees. See:

https://www.mcdonaldgardencenter.com/blog/scratch-test - :~:text=Using your fingernail, or a,are motivated to get growing.

Get back to me with what you find. That will determine a future course of action.

Many thanks. Looking forward to receiving this information.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 14, 2024, 2:33 PM EDT

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