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Worried about Crepe Myrtle

14 years ago

We just bought our first place and planted a Crepe Myrtle in the front yard, the tree was kind of dry when we bought it and got pretty wind blown on the way home. When we planted it, we got it half way in the hole, watered a bit and then it started POURING rain about 10 mins later.

We finished filling the hole and left it. It still looks very droopy (the leaves), they aren't yellow yet but are just droopy and some kind of curled at the edge. The tree settled a bit in the hole and I can feel that the soil is damp still. Should we dig it up and replant it a bit higher? I am afraid it got too much water maybe? We've had full sun for about 3 days now and it still looks the same.

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Comments (2)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
The plant should be NO lower than the natural grade of the soil and probably a bit higher. If it's deeper, soil will fill in on top of the root ball and cause problems.

You might want to tell us a little bit about your planting routine (the hole size, amendments (if any), etc.) as well as the size and condition of the plant. Consider the site drainage and other environmental characteristics that might affect the plant, and share those with us.

Summer-planted deciduous trees sometimes have problems upon planting time. It can certainly be done (I've done so hundreds of times) but there are some challenges. The ride on the way home from the nursery certainly didn't do the tree any good, either.

Oh, can we assume that this is a container grown plant and not field grown and freshly dug?
inthedesert
Original Author
14 years ago
This tree is from a nursery, in a container, about 3-4 ft. tall. I would say the tree is about level with the ground and the top of the rootball is not covered. We did mulch it, I can stick my hand in the soil and it feels damp but not wet.

We amended the sandy soil with some store bought organic compost and a bit of yum yum mix earth food. The weather has been crazy for the last week or so, early monsoon with days in the 90s. The Mexican Bird of Paradise trees, NM Olive, and the Ash we planted have been fine, no wilting or yellowing. Just this Myrtle that is giving us a hard time.

Should I remove the mulch on the top to see if it would prefer to dry out a bit more?
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