River Birch Yellow Leaves After Summer Planting in Alabama

Six 14-ft river birches planted summer in Baldwin County, AL (red clay, amended topsoil, 4" mulch, bubblers 25 min/day). Yellow leaves drop, new ones emerge. Cause?

Diagnosis: Summer Planting Stress

Summer planting = high stress. Leaf drop expected. River birches need abundant water.

Care

• Check soil moisture under mulch to 6"
• Don't pile mulch on trunk (heats bark)
• No fertilizer until spring 2009 (1 year after planting)
• Focus on survival, not growth this year