Q. We planted a five-gallon tree three weeks ago. At first, we watered this tree every day as the nursery directed. Then we began watering it every other day but the leaves started falling off. Daytime temperatures are 80 to 85° and drop to 40° at night.
A. Leaf drop after planting falls under the
general category of "transplant shock”. The plant was
"traumatized", in human terms, sometime after it was at the nursery
through when it was planted.
This
"trauma" can result from a lack of care in transporting the tree from
the nursery to its new home, a radical change in locations such as growing
under shade cloth and then plunged into full sun as well as rough handling
during planting.
 |
| Transplant shock when planting from nursery containers can happen for a number of reasons. |
The
plant went through a radical change or changes in its environment. Once
adjusted to one environment, moving them to a radically different environment
can cause “trauma”. It dropped its leaves in response. Plants can’t move. A
reaction to trauma can be sudden leaf drop.
The
tree is not dead but needs time to recover. Our immediate response to leaf drop
is to give the plant more water. We think leaf drop = drought. This would be the
wrong thing to do if the problem was not from a lack of water.
 |
| Fruit trees frequently drop their leaves after planting if the conditions aren't perfect. This can be for a number of reasons but there are buds on the stems and trunk that will replace the lost leaves in a short time. |
When
given time, “traumatized” trees produce new leaves and readjust to a new
environment. New growth is better adjusted to the new environments. Be patient
and don’t overreact.
The nursery was right
to tell you to water it every day immediately after planting. Back off and
water only when it “needs it”. Give the plant a one day “break” between
waterings. Let the water drain from around the roots. Let the roots “breathe”
and the plant will recover on its own.
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