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Trees Tennessee Gardening Native Plants

Why do my Franklinia trees have lime green leaves?

5 years ago

I have two small Franklin trees planted in different locations for several years. Per Google searches, the leaves are supposed to be dark green. These leaves are the color of Illicium parviflorum. All the other plants around them have leaves with appropriate green coloration.

Are there certain elements that I need to add to the soil?

E. Tennessee, zone 6b.

Thanks

Featured Answer

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

5 years ago

a soil test thru your local COUNTY extension office would be a good place to start ... before you start throwing soil amendments around.. willy nilly ...

ken

https://extension.tennessee.edu/eastern/Pages/default.aspx

https://extension.tennessee.edu/hamilton/Pages/Soil-Testing.aspx

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Comments (7)

Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
5 years ago
Franklinia need acidic moist well drained soils to do well. It could be chlorosis caused by the soil pH being to high. A photo would help.

Do you have rhododendrons or azaleas? How about Stewartia or Camellia?
canishel
Original Author
5 years ago
Yup. There are two large rhodies, a large camellia, a hydrangea, and a Stewartia (pseudocamellia) within a few feet of the Franklinia. The Stewartia is behind the rhodies, so it isn't shown.

The other one isn't shown. It's in a different spot, with another rhodie, azalea, camellia, gardenia, and juniper.

Thanks.
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KennsWoods
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Looks fine to me, just a young tree growing in a high temperature summer climate. Young sourwood look much the same, and attain a darker green as they grow larger and mature. As long as growth is good, keep watered in dry times and I think you will be okay. A close up of the foliage would be helpful.
canishel
Original Author
5 years ago
just a young tree

Thanks. I was hoping that was all it was...
sam_md
5 years ago
Here's my old tree today.
Here this year's seedlings in bark mix with slow release
In previous years have seen yellowing of new growth during hot/sultry weather which has not arrived yet for us. This is also influenced by rainfall which for us has been TOO MUCH of a good thing so far. What will happen to the foliage in July/August only time will tell.
canishel
Original Author
5 years ago
hot/sultry weather

Hasn't been sultry here until the past few days, but unseasonably hot.

Good to know.

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