Recently planted Junipers with brown tips - Ask Extension
Greetings! Thanks for taking my question.
Roughly 2.5 weeks ago I received and planted 14 moonglow junipers from a quality tree farm. I would say 12 ...
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Recently planted Junipers with brown tips #868341
Asked May 14, 2024, 9:32 AM EDT
Greetings! Thanks for taking my question.
Roughly 2.5 weeks ago I received and planted 14 moonglow junipers from a quality tree farm. I would say 12 look perfect. Great color and fullness. The other 2 I have some concerns about. These two seem to be from a different batch of trees. I only say this because they are a little leggier and slightly different in color. Since they've been planted, I noticed browning of tips throughout the tree sporadically. With even one of the tree's lead branches having a brown tip. They definitely have not improved over 2.5 weeks but I cannot say for sure they have gotten worse.
I'm looking for insight as to how healthy and "okay" the trees might be. As well as, should I be doing anything to correct this? Will it grow out of this, should I prune, too much water, too little water, just in shock, totally done for?
For the first two weeks I watered every day and it equated to roughly 14-15 gallons each week for each tree per the minnesota extension guideline (as I guesstimate they are about 1.5-2inch thick). I have now switch to 3 days a week and keeping it at about 14gallons per week per tree. So less frequent but deeper watering now.
PS I have more pictures if you need them.
Steele County Minnesota
Expert Response
It is not uncommon for trees to show signs of transplant shock. Was the soil the same for all trees? Were the planting holes all prepared the same? Question on Tree 3. Why is there juniper trimmings under that tree and do the branches actually hang down or is that just an illusion.
I cant speak for the soil for all the trees. I assume very similar since they all came from the same farm. The holes were dug and planted by one guy who has quite a bit of experience and all prepared and planted the same day.
There is some droop to the lower branches, especially in ones that I believe are newer growth branches. Could that be from over watering?
I was asking about the soil where they are planted. Not where they were originally grown. Soil can have strips of different soils. For instance, there is a strip of clay running through part of the Anoka County Sand Plain. Also, if there has been construction, it is highly possible soil was compacted or different soil brought in. If there is a strip of clay where that tree with the droop is, water cannot pass through easily and can pool around the roots. You probably should dig down and check what is going on. Also, why there are clippings under the tree? It wouldn't hurt to have a certified arborist make a house call for evaluation. You can find one by clicking on this link. Put in your zip code when prompted and a list of certified arborists in your area will appear. https://www.treesaregood.org/