Question

w wilson sand cherry p   QUESTION: Dear Jim,

I need help! I have just now planted 2 SAND CHERRY PURPLE LEAF TREES. the challenge was they had been on our back porch in (2 gal.) containers for 2 years after purchasing. They had lost most all their leaves and started dying.

My questions:

1. Having just planted them ( and considering their condition) should I prune them back now, wait a little longer, or wait till spring?

2. If I do prune them, how much should I prune them back? Both are about 3/4" at the base.

FYI: Temps in the Memphis area for October range from Low to Mid 70's in the daytime to high 40's to mid 50's at night. it will get much colder come december - february.

See pictures for more info.

Thanks for your assistance. It is appreciated.

Wayne

ANSWER: I would not prune them until they get a good established crown of foliage. The foliage is needed to furnish food for the root system so it is important to let it grow for a while. I would wait until at least the second year (maybe the third spring).and see what shape the tree is taking and then if needed lightly prune any wayward branches.

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close up of some branc   QUESTION: Another question: how can I tell if the tree is dead or dying without doing some pruning. I am concerned that I may be wasting my time. Some of the smaller twig branches have no leaves and are dry and "snap" easily off by hand, while others still have a few leaves holding on for dear life. I guess I am curious (and a bit skeptical considering the history and looks of them)about what the chances are of it surviving or not.

Answer
To determine if a tree or branch is still alive start near the end if an upper branch and scrape a small bit of bark off the branch. If the color under the bark is green this branch is alive at this point on the branch. IF it is not green brown then the branch is dead at this point on the branch. If brown continue down the branch scraping at intervals until you find green or you reach the main trunk. You can do this on other branch until you find green. On a small tree like yours if the branches are all dead try scraping the bark on the main trunk. When you find green you can either prune the brown dead branches off or wait until spring and see what puts out new leaves and prune then. I would wait to make sure you do not prune any living branch since the tree will need all the foliage it has to produce a better root system. Even if all the branches are dead I would wait until spring--hardwoods especially young ones will die back but sprout new growth if they have a good root system. Waiting until spring will be about the only way to tell if the roots are still alive.

I hope you can follow this--the main thing is if it is dead it will not hurt to wait until spring for leaf out and if the root system is still alive you do not want to remove it now since it will leaf out this spring.