Expert: Jim Hyland - 8/3/2009

Question
Hi there,

2 days ago, we planted seven redwoods.  We were in the middle of a heat wave, which was unfortunate timing.  Because we were planting 211 trees, these guys sat in their containers for 2 days before I could get them in the ground.  I noticed brown tips on a couple of them right before planting them, so I think they sat in the sun for too long.  Since then the brown tips have increased a bit.  I have been watering them heavily since I noticed the brown tips.

Have I permanently ruined these trees?  I have been watering them heavily ever since they went in the ground - Is that what I should be doing?

The brown tips range from about 1/2 an inch of the end of a branch to about 2-3 inches long.

Thanks for the help,

Heather

Answer
Sounds like they were dead or dying before you planted them. This is about the worst time to plant trees--heat and the drier weather. And if trees are left to dry in the container in the sun before they are planted they have a very low chance of living. I would try watering them with a controlled amount of water. Use 1 inch of water every other day until the cooler Fall weather arrives. Place a pan under the trees and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. Too much water can be as bad as too little for a plant. IF you have not done so mulch around the trees with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch (pine straw is good) not piled up on the trunk. I am not saying they will not make it BUT the chances are low.