Question
QUESTION: I live in Rio Rancho New Mexico, in April I planted 3 Blue Points in three different places in my back yard. The yard gets full sun from sunrise to sunset and lots of wind. They seemed to being doing good until June when temps hit upper 90's to 100, first the foliage turned dry and crunchy, a faded green. Now they are also turning brown. There is very few green branches at the bottom. I have tried to grow many different trees in this yard and all have died, I thought these might be my best chance, can they be saved?

ANSWER: Sounds like a lack of water. Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Water with 1 inch of water--place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. Do this every third day unless it rains. After about a month try watering once a week with this system. Also if you have not done so mulch around the trees with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk. This will help hold moisture around the roots. Pine straw is a good mulch.

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QUESTION: I watered every other day for the first two months, since June I have been watering everyday. How could it be lack of water? When I water I make sure it is wet 6 inches down in the ground before stopping. Will they grow new branches now that all the top is dead? Should I trim them down to the ground?

Answer
Too much water is as bad as too little. Watering daily is not a recommended method. I would cut back on the water and water when the soil is dry. The dead parts will not grow back on conifers but new growth should sprout from the trunk and over time be the new top. Or the lower branches will become the new top. I would not prune it back right now. Wait until this fall and then cut the dead off only.