help me with my tree, please!

I have two Eastern Redbuds. One planted two years after the first. The first was planted in 2004, the second in 2006. They were the same size at planting. The second is twice as big as the first. The first looks terrible. I don't see bugs, the soil is the same exact soil as the other one, only why is it so scrawny? Here's a pic. The older one is on the left. Can anyone help me solve this problem? I want the trees to grow in and cover up my neighbors house. They sit on their deck and watch everything I do. Then they gossip. Ugh. Maybe I'll just replace the scrawny one with a green giant....

thanks,
Harper

Look at those weeds.LOL What are they gossiping about ...hmmmm.

Does the small one have compettition from that bigger tree?

Could the one on the right be getting more sun??

Viburnum dentatum would work great there!

There's a tall maple about 20 feet from it on the north side. It does cast shade on it in the mornings. Victor, tell me more about the viburnum, I've been wanting a few.

Could be the difference in sunlight. V. dentatum are fast growing shrubs with nice flowers, berries and fall color. They attract birds. There are a number of varieties available.

The tree is right near a gate in the fence. I want to be able to get through it... probably could. I want something that goes up to 15 or 20 feet. Does the V. dentatum go that high? I don't want anything much higher than that. No matter what, I'm getting a few Viburnums. I think I want to visit your place first, Victor.

12-15 feet for sure. Do you really need 20 ft?

The neighbor's house is on a higher grade than mine. Actually, mine is at the bottom of the hill in all directions, except one, the one leading to the lake. The neighbor's foundation is about 10' above mine. I feel like I'm in a fish bowl. Tomorrow I'll take a pic of my yard from their deck.

Hmmm tree envy?

The only Viburnum I've found so far that will get near 20 feet is sieboldii. The variety 'Seneca' looks nice.

My Norway Spruce have grown very fast - about 2 feet per year. Advantage - they're evergreen. But they do need full sun.

Dawn - giggling from that comment!

Harper - I, too, think it may be the shade that is a factor. Also, it is possible that the tree may be growing just above a large underground stone or it might be sitting on ledge. I'm not sure that is the case where you are, but when we notice that things aren't growing like we think they should be, invariably when we dig them up to move them, we find underground ledge beneath where the tree or shrub was planted to be the problem. Having seen your photo, however, I'd be betting on the shade factor. I love viburnums....I'll bet they would do nicely. Arbor vitae also grow very quickly and make great greens for Christmas wreaths. The great thing about the viburnums is the double benefit of the flowers and berries. But then, I always swing towards the trees and plants that bring birds.....

I love trees and plants that bring birds. I'm definitely getting some Viburnums. I already have the spot picked out for them.

DB, by 'underground ledge', do you mean a big, big rock, or what? I don't know what that means. I think I'm going to move the tree to a more sunny spot. I'm also still considering a Viburnum it's replacement. It's a little bit of a soggy area. Do they mind that?

Haven't grown any in wet areas, Harper, but they are very adaptable. Most sources say the usual yada - 'moist but well-drained'. Unless it's really a very wet area, I would say try it. If it doesn't do well you can always move it.

Thanks Victor. Where do you recommend I go looking for one? (or two)

If you want to spend a bit more and start with larger plants, try your local nurseries. It's worth a drive to Twombly's in CT if you have nothing great nearby. I have bought most of mine from Fairweather Gardens (and will be getting more this Fall!) but I don't see any dentatums in their Fall catalog.

Harper - where I am there are huge underground pieces of granite that can be fairly close to the ground level. They refer to it as ledge. When we dug our well, we had to drill through some pretty hefty ledge (cha-ching, cha-ching!) I'm not sure whether all ledge is granite or not....not an expert on this, just had a few experiences with having to move plants because of it.

DB, ouch! I hope your water tastes really, really good! Thanks for the education. I have no idea if I'm on a ledge or not.... but I don't think so. Otherwise, my septic might have difficulty soaking in.

Victor, what town is Twombly's in? Maybe I'll check them out. Rosedale Nurseries is the biggest nursery near me. They're the ones that planted the redbuds to begin with. They have a one year warranty that's long overdue.

Harper

http://www.twomblynursery.com/

Just call first to see if they have dentatums in stock and check sizes / prices. They have lots of stuff though. I've only gone to pick things up - never browsed. People there are very nice.

Thanks Victor. I think I'd like to go there in person soon.

I live about two miles away from Twombly's! But I don't go there too often. It can be a bit pricey for me. Although I have gone there more this year than ever before. A nice place to browse and knowledgeable people - although I was surprised that three out of four people didn't know what cimicifuga was. They had to keep calling someone else over to see if they knew what I was talking about till they found someone who did. That kind of made me wonder...

They do have quite the tree and shrub selection, though. I went there two years ago to find some shrubs for winter interest that could survive in pots on my patio, and one man spent quite awhile helping me make my choices. Good customer service.

:)
Dee

Thanks Dee, that was helpful!

Unless they've raised prices this year, I have always found their prices reasonable for the size and quality of the plant material. I'm not one for getting ripped off. There is a famous nursery near me that is so overpriced I am astonished that anyone would buy. When I put in my pond four years ago, they were actually charging $30 for a two pound box of pond salt! I bought it for about $1 per pound online.

Grrrr... don't get me started.

I'll pay extra for extra good quality and a healthy, big specimen... gotta be worth it though.

Well, I never said they were "overpriced", I just said that "I" couldn't afford them, lol! Certainly the quality of their stuff is good. I just can't afford to spend lots of money on stuff that for example, I can start from seed, or buy more cheaply say from Bluestone (perennials etc.).

I've walked by trees there and glanced at the tag and seen them priced in the high hundreds and even thousands. A bit too rich for my wallet, no matter how big or good-quality that tree may be. If one does have that kind of money, I would think the quality of their plants would be worth it. Again, a really good selection of shrubs and trees.

:)
Dee

Dee, I don't have the cash right now for them either, but let me continue to engage in this little fantasy of mine!

BTW, I've had problems with Bluestone lately. More than twice now they've sent me the wrong variety and I didn't discover 'till a year later when I got blooms.

Harper, if you're going to start with a Bluestone plant, let alone a seed, you'll have your screen in time for your grandchildren to enjoy it!

I don't even know about that, considering Bluestone is almost entirely perennials!

Hmm, I bought a viburnum last year from Bluestone, and this year it is over five feet tall already. I was actually rather impressed with how fast it grew, considering how small it was when it arrived.

But, if I was looking to build a screen to hide annoying neighbors, then I too would spend the dime and get bigger plants. Blocking annoying neighbors is well worth the extra money!

Dee

Sure is! Thousands if you ask me!

Harper - consider adding a few pigs for effect on that side of the yard.....I've heard they can be a sure-fire neighbor-buster!

That's what she's trying to screen out.

True Victor! Funny Louise!! Actually, I've been wanting some chickens and thought they might be too noisy. Maybe I'll reconsider.

Rooster - but you like to sleep late!

Harper - We have a farm with horses and chickens just across the dirt road from our upper meadow. I actually love the sound of the roosters (and the horses), but if your neighbors aren't animal lovers, I think I would reconsider your decision. They are a definite alarm clock!

One of our neighbors had a rooster for many years and I loved the sound to start each day but many others weren't thrilled.

I understand there are feral chickens (and roosters) in Miami - and the city even has its own chicken rustler to round them up before they peck the tourists :-)

The Florida natives (especially the teenagers) pay off the rustlers so the tourists will get pecked.

That's right Victor! No chickens for me 'till I can wake myself up early. Then I might like it like pirl.

Funny DB!

Harper - why couldn't you work it in reverse and go to sleep when the rooster crows?