TREE SURVIVAL
Your trees are planted. Now what?
Now that you've gotten your trees in the ground, it's time to help ensure their survival by providing plenty of water. With the strong North Dakota winds—and especially during periods of reduced rainfall—watering your trees is more important than ever.
After planting, your trees may be stressed or go through a period of shock. This is much more common if the trees are not getting adequate water, but can happen in even the most perfect conditions.
Signs of Stress or Shock:
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Wilting, scorching, browning leaves, or early onset of fall colors. Trees with limited water availability may send the wrong signals to foliage.
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Leaf rolling. Dried-out leaves will often cup or curl—a water saving feature that reduces water loss as the tree becomes water stressed.
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Grey-green, yellow, or brown needles.
CHECKING TREE SURVIVAL
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Scratch the bark with your fingernail to determine whether the tree is viable.
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If there is a green layer, the tree is alive.
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If the twig snaps off or there isn't a green layer, gently pull up on the tree.
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If there is resistance, the roots may still be alive and new growth may be coming.
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Of the tree pulls out with ease, it's dead. Usually there are no root hairs on this tree as they have decayed, allowing it to be easily pulled out.