OK, next one in the yard - is my tree going to make it?

Keep in mind Im a tree newbie. This is the patented (burlap bag) oak that is plopped in every new home's yard. This one was blown over three times (uprooted) and the leaves fell off. I followed the local HD guys instructions about bending a twig or branch - if it snaps its dead and removed them. The pic shows all I have left and is about 9ft tall, the remaining green leaves seemed to do better after the dead limb removal, but are slowly going dead too. I am hand watering every day for about 3 min. Will it recover? If so will it be a disfigured twisted mess or can/should I cut it to re-grow right? Or.... should I let it go. Thanks

This message was edited Aug 6, 2009 1:58 PM

I don't know a lot about trees, but I would definitely cut off the dead branches so that the tree doesn't waste energy and nutrients to try to feed those and keep them alive. I'd add some dry molasses, horticultural cornmeal, green sand, and maybe some expanded shale. (Mix it all together and sprinkle at the base to about 3' out.) Then I'd apply some good, rich finished compost about 1" thick, again out to about 3' of the base of the trunk. Water it in well. Top it off with a native cedar mulch, not piled up at the trunk, but spread out. You could also water with a liquid seaweed/water mix.

She's a goner. If you could save it, it would never look right. Probable have a rotten center. I would go looking for a new tree.

I'm with kenboy. Rescue, at this point, is a futile effort. Save yourself a lot of time and energy, and if it is a builder tree, under a year old, they should replace it. If not, there are going to be fall plant sales, at the extension centers, and sometimes during the winter, where you can get some really good trees for your area. Of course, if you are in a subdivision, you will have to plant what they say.

One other thing you could do if you want to try to save it is to brace it.
You said it has fallen over three times, so evidently it needs to be held in place by putting three cables and stakes to make stable. How long ago was it planted?

One more word of advice, never feed a stressed tree. The tree is struggling to support the canopy that already exists and the root system isn't well enough established to do it. Feeding the tree will only make it try to add new growth, which also can't be supported. If you decide to leave it, skip fertilizer and only add diluted root stimulator to it. Having said that, I agree with the advice that it's probably best to replace it. Fall is ideal planting time. It gives the roots time to get going before the stress of high summer temps hit.

Crow

I have to ask a silly question. Is the burlap still on the tree? Some burlap has plastic on one side......perhaps it isn't receiving the water.

Thanks for the help. It was planted FEB this year, it was braced (not well enough through windy feb-apr) and is braced good now but too late. I wasnt home to help take care of it. Maybe Ill put it in the back and see what happens. Got to look up the tree restrictions and find a cool tree now.

Add: Yes, unfortunately I was able to see the roots the 3rd time and they were not covered, they were only about 2ft out from trunk, Ive heard they just cut them out that way and plant in new location, maybe it was doomed from beginning

This message was edited Aug 6, 2009 3:21 PM