Tomato plants not thriving near a cedar tree - Ask Extension
Good afternoon,
I recently removed 2 dead white pines from an area of my yard. Because of the sunny location I planted several tomato plants in the s...
Knowledgebase
Tomato plants not thriving near a cedar tree #877788
Asked July 18, 2024, 1:34 PM EDT
Good afternoon,
I recently removed 2 dead white pines from an area of my yard. Because of the sunny location I planted several tomato plants in the spot after amending the soil with some good quality garden soil from Hope Timbers. There is a very large (40 foot-ish) cedar tree in fairly close proximity to the tomato plants.
My tomatoes are not thriving and the leaves are small and curling compared to some plants in other areas of my garden. Could this be due to either:
1. their proximity to the cedar?
2. the recent removal of the 2 white pines?
Thank you.
Licking County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Tracie! How frustrating! There are a number of issues that can cause tomato leaf curl (some are harmless and some require you to remove the plant immediately - yikes!) Please send pictures of the leaves & the plant(s) so help me figure out issue.
Pine needles make the soil more acidic which tomatoes don't like. Did you do a soil test before planting?? (Soil Testing | Licking (osu.edu)
Pine trees like a pH of 5.5 whereas tomatoes like it 6.0-7.5. When amending your soil, do a soil test to make sure you're adding the right ingredients. I don't think this is the cause of your "problem" as it is something else. Since pine trees (Pinaceae) are in a different family than tomatoes (Solanaceae), even if there was a disease that killed your pines, I don't think the disease would affect the tomatoes. (Another good reason for a soil test.)
So send those photos!! Try to get a clear, up close photos of the leaf(leaves) and a close up of the whole plant(s). I need to know if the leaves on the bottom are curling before the top. Are the new leaves curling first or the older leaves? Are there spots of any kind of the leaves? How often do you water? (Hoping you don't get water on the leaves!).
I look forward to hearing back!
Pine needles make the soil more acidic which tomatoes don't like. Did you do a soil test before planting?? (Soil Testing | Licking (osu.edu)
Pine trees like a pH of 5.5 whereas tomatoes like it 6.0-7.5. When amending your soil, do a soil test to make sure you're adding the right ingredients. I don't think this is the cause of your "problem" as it is something else. Since pine trees (Pinaceae) are in a different family than tomatoes (Solanaceae), even if there was a disease that killed your pines, I don't think the disease would affect the tomatoes. (Another good reason for a soil test.)
So send those photos!! Try to get a clear, up close photos of the leaf(leaves) and a close up of the whole plant(s). I need to know if the leaves on the bottom are curling before the top. Are the new leaves curling first or the older leaves? Are there spots of any kind of the leaves? How often do you water? (Hoping you don't get water on the leaves!).
I look forward to hearing back!
Hello and than you for your speedy reply. The top leaves are curling. I water several times a week and aim for the roots. I have attache a few pictures for you. I appreciate your help.
Hi Tracie! Good pics! I have good news so no worries on your part...yeah!
I do not see any spots on the leaves meaning there are no viruses or molds/fungi on the plants. I believe the main issue is heat stress. We went from not-so-bad temps and rain fall to a drought period with extremely high temps (for Central Ohio). Because of the heat and lack of rain, the plant is experiencing "stomatal transpiration" (how's that for a technical term?!) What it mean is that the plant is getting less water internally than it is sending out- think of when you're outside, sweating, and you need to drink a lot of water to make up for what you are sweating out. The leaves curl up so that not as much of the sun/heat is on them so that they don't lose water. What this means is that you need to give them more water. Don't water on top of the plants (don't get the leaves wet) which I think you're already doing since I don't see spots on the leaves. Water in the morning is best but it wouldn't hurt to give them a little drink at night. (Think of when you're outside & get really thirsty - you can drain a bottle of water fast to slake your thirst [that is the morning water]; but when it's cooler outside, you just need a small mouthful of water [that is the evening water]). Does this make sense to you??
With climate change, those of us in Central Ohio are not going to get as much rain. When we have these dry spells, your plants need some help.
BTW, your basil looks great!
Enjoy your garden!
I do not see any spots on the leaves meaning there are no viruses or molds/fungi on the plants. I believe the main issue is heat stress. We went from not-so-bad temps and rain fall to a drought period with extremely high temps (for Central Ohio). Because of the heat and lack of rain, the plant is experiencing "stomatal transpiration" (how's that for a technical term?!) What it mean is that the plant is getting less water internally than it is sending out- think of when you're outside, sweating, and you need to drink a lot of water to make up for what you are sweating out. The leaves curl up so that not as much of the sun/heat is on them so that they don't lose water. What this means is that you need to give them more water. Don't water on top of the plants (don't get the leaves wet) which I think you're already doing since I don't see spots on the leaves. Water in the morning is best but it wouldn't hurt to give them a little drink at night. (Think of when you're outside & get really thirsty - you can drain a bottle of water fast to slake your thirst [that is the morning water]; but when it's cooler outside, you just need a small mouthful of water [that is the evening water]). Does this make sense to you??
With climate change, those of us in Central Ohio are not going to get as much rain. When we have these dry spells, your plants need some help.
BTW, your basil looks great!
Enjoy your garden!
Thank you. I was worried that the cedar tree was the cause of the problems
