I actually have two questions: (I live in Maryland, but the way - climate usually matters with plants!) My weeping cherry tree doesn't keep it's leaves/blooms very long. It usually buds in April, grows leaves (a modest amount), gets blooms, and then they all fall off by the end of July and I'm stuck with a stick in the yard for the rest of the year. I know it is growing, the branches are a little longer, and it has two "suckers" on it that have green leaves (I need to snap those off), but why does it do this? Does it have to have ALOT of water to keep it's leaves? Is it best to plant trees in the fall or spring? I'm thinking of crepe myrtle, Japanese Red Oak, maybe a magnolia.
Hi Sunflower, I suspect your cherry may be planted too deeply, too much mulch, possibly rootbound when planted or not enough water. You should prune off the suckers, not snap them off. Here's some helpful sites. http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/trees/f1147w.htm http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/planting/rootgrowth.htm http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07833.html#post http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.aspx http://www.mdvaden.com/watering.shtml http://www.freeplants.com/free-article-pruning-weeping-cherry-trees.htm I too live in Maryland and would recommend Magnolia. When you plant depends on the tree. Newt
