Hi Mary,

Thank you for contacting the UVM Master Gardener Helpline and providing photos. It sounds like you are following the instructions from the tree vendor but there a few reasons that could explain why your seedling’s shoots are turning brown.

- Transplant shock. Transplanting is stressful to plants and can shock its roots especially if done during hot weather. This shock can temporarily disrupt the tree's ability to take up water and nutrients leading to browning of the leaves or tips. It is recommended to plant in early spring or late summer or fall rather than mid-summer in our region to help ensure root establishment before the hotter, drier summer months. Trees planted after mid-May might not survive summer's intense heat.

- Water stress. Newly planted trees, particularly those planted in the heat of summer, are susceptible to water stress. Under-watering is a common cause of death or decline in newly planted trees. If the tree is not receiving adequate water, especially during hot weather, its leaves can wilt and turn brown.

- Sun exposure. Direct sunlight can be harsh on newly planted trees and excessive sun exposure can lead to sunburn, causing browning of the leaves or tips.

- Root damage. During transplanting, roots can be damaged or disturbed. This can affect the tree's ability to absorb water and nutrients, resulting in symptoms like browning leaves or tips.

- Poor quality of nursery stock. If the roots were allowed to dry out during shipment, the plant has a higher likelihood of dying.

- Poor planting. Planting a seedling tree too shallow will expose the root system as erosion occurs, causing the roots to dry out and feeder roots to die. When planted too deep, a seedling tree will have poor root health due to less oxygen availability and decreased soil temperature. Poor root health leads to problems such as reduced growth, susceptibility to insects and diseases, and decreased cold hardiness. Planting a seedling in loosened soil will cause the tree to settle, which can result in a tree that is planted too deeply.

Because a tree had died in this same area, you may want to get the soil tested. Soil test forms and instructions can be found on the UVM website: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/agricultural-and-environmental-testing-lab. Soil testing can provide you with useful information regarding pH and organic matter content and will specify amendments that should be added to the soil.

It is difficult to know whether the seedling is dying but it was planted during intense heat which has reduced its likelihood of surviving. Sometimes young saplings go through a period of shock where they may look unhealthy for a while before they recover. If, over time, the sapling is showing some signs of life, such as new growth, it might still have a chance to recover with proper care and attention.

One other possibility is to carefully transplant the seedling to a pot and if it shows signs of life, wait until the late summer/fall to plant it. Directions can be found on: https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=422196

Additional information can be found on the following websites:

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/decline-newly-planted-trees https://extension.unh.edu/resource/planting-and-care-tree-seedlings-fact-sheet

https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/education/primer/appendixone.pdf

I hope this helps,

Hi Mary,

One additional thought - regarding the prior tree that died - do you know what species of tree it was and how it died?  If it was a maple tree that died from verticillium wilt, you would not want to plant another maple in the same soil.   The verticillium fungus can remain dormant for many years and could potentially affect the transplant.  The following website has additional info:

   https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2005/jun/071602.htm