Nellie Stevens Holly Trees

Discussion in 'Woody Plants' started by ziggyman, Mar 6, 2007.

  1. ziggyman

    ziggyman Member

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    Location:
    Northeast, USA
    Trees were planted last spring by a professional landscaper and they were doing fine. As the weather started to turn cold the deer started to eat the leaves. We sprayed Plantskydd on them to deter the deer. The weather has been changing from cold, to very cold, snow, ice, had some warm days, and now very very cold and windy. The leaves have started to curl and turn brown. Is this a form of scorching? If not, what would cause this problem and how can this be corrected?
     
  2. smivies

    smivies Active Member

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    Location:
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    The damage you're seeing on the leaves is winter damage. Given another growing season or two, the root system will be more established and the damage you are seeing this winter will be less in subsequent winters. Hollies are able to suffer some defoliation over winter and recover nicely in spring.

    I don't know where in the northeast you're located but presumably there are Nellie Stevens already growing in your area? A landscaper is unlikely to experiment with hardiness, it's too expensive.

    Simon
     
  3. ziggyman

    ziggyman Member

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    Simon:

    Thank you for your response. Hopefully, in the spring the trees will start to look better. Is there something we can supplement them in the spring to enhance their growth? Thank you!
     
  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Are they mulched? Sounds like they were planted too late in the year. If you are below USDA 6 fall planting of broadleaf evergreens such as these will probably not be successful most years. Rather than fertilizer or some other treatment after the fact next spring or summer what they need(ed) is to be protected from severe frost during the winter, by shielding the tops with something such as fencing and conifer branches or storage in a cold greenhouse (followed by spring planting).
     
  5. ziggyman

    ziggyman Member

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    Ron B.:

    Thank for you the info and yes, the trees were mulched. We are planting zone 7 and they were planted in spring 2006. What is conifer and how can you shield 5 foot tree tops with fence? I'm not sure that I understand your advice. Can you further explain.
     

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