Is there any hope for this tree?
I planted this Nikita's Gift persimmon tree on April 23rd 2021 in zone 5b. Two days later, the leaves began to wilt and fall off. Today's picture shows no new growth. Can it be saved or should I start over?
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applestar
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- Posts: 30540
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
I’m thinking that in Indiana, you probably had some cold snaps still in Late April? Where did the tree come from? The leaves in the photo look very tender.
I didn’t keep a very good photo record this year, but the persimmon I have, NOT Japanese but a hardy American variety called Prok, doesn’t usually leaf out until later. I don’t have Nikita’s Gift (which I believe is Russian.Siberian hybrid with American species…) so I can’t say for sure, but I’m just wondering if your tree might have come from a warmer zone already leafed out, then encountered a frost or freezing temp and lost leaves/got set back, etc.
You could try the so called “scratch test” scrape a bit of the bark with thumbnail or whatever and see if there is green underneath. I have to tell you I’ve never tried this test myself, but it’s a common advice. I usually just go by what branch sounds hollow when flicked and snaps/breaks like dry stick... but obliviously you can’t/don’t want to do that to the trunk.
I didn’t keep a very good photo record this year, but the persimmon I have, NOT Japanese but a hardy American variety called Prok, doesn’t usually leaf out until later. I don’t have Nikita’s Gift (which I believe is Russian.Siberian hybrid with American species…) so I can’t say for sure, but I’m just wondering if your tree might have come from a warmer zone already leafed out, then encountered a frost or freezing temp and lost leaves/got set back, etc.
You could try the so called “scratch test” scrape a bit of the bark with thumbnail or whatever and see if there is green underneath. I have to tell you I’ve never tried this test myself, but it’s a common advice. I usually just go by what branch sounds hollow when flicked and snaps/breaks like dry stick... but obliviously you can’t/don’t want to do that to the trunk.
Thanks applestar for taking time to respond. Yes Indiana had very cold temps and late frosts this year. Tree came from Florida and I was surprised it arrived leafed out. I thought being that time of year, it would arrive dormant. I can get a replacement but not sure if it's too late in season to plant?
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applestar
- Mod
- Posts: 30540
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
The issue in getting the replacement now is that it will be very tricky to make sure the plant will survive the shipping period unless it is shipped 1-day express with environment control.
I wouldn’t trust Two-day. And currently there can still be other delay factors although certainly not as completely disrupted as over the past year. I’m not sure if my doubt is just lingering after effects and misplaced mistrust….
Put in the claim for replacement to be sent to you next season, and/or refund/credit, but …unless they want you to ship it back as proof, I would try caring for it as if it is still alive and see if it manages to come back. It might just be sulking.
FWIW — I try to order live plants during period when temperatures are in good survival range even in cold or hot truck or warehouse, and unless absolutely unavailable, try to find a source within same as my usda zone or only + or - 1 zone, and within two-day trucking distance (keeping the conditions of interstate climate/temperatures as well). This generally can have added benefit of no extra shipping surcharges depending on the nursery/plant source.
I wouldn’t trust Two-day. And currently there can still be other delay factors although certainly not as completely disrupted as over the past year. I’m not sure if my doubt is just lingering after effects and misplaced mistrust….
Put in the claim for replacement to be sent to you next season, and/or refund/credit, but …unless they want you to ship it back as proof, I would try caring for it as if it is still alive and see if it manages to come back. It might just be sulking.
FWIW — I try to order live plants during period when temperatures are in good survival range even in cold or hot truck or warehouse, and unless absolutely unavailable, try to find a source within same as my usda zone or only + or - 1 zone, and within two-day trucking distance (keeping the conditions of interstate climate/temperatures as well). This generally can have added benefit of no extra shipping surcharges depending on the nursery/plant source.