I’ve had this tree for about four months. Its new shoots are much shorter than before, it looks less full, and a few leaves have fallen. I’ve also changed from watering weekly to every two weeks. What should I check first?
Why are my tree’s new shoots shorter and the leaves thinning?
Asked by brasslet
Answers
Don’t assume the watering schedule is the cause by itself. Check the soil before watering, and make sure excess water can drain away. If the soil stays wet for a long time, overwatering may be stressing the roots. If it dries out quickly, the plant may need water sooner.
If you’re already planning to repot, inspect the roots first. Healthy roots should not be mushy or have a bad smell. A crowded root ball can be a reason to repot, but a larger pot isn’t automatically better, since extra wet soil can add to root problems.
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Have a close look at the undersides of the leaves and the tight spots along the stems. Fine speckling or tiny webs can point to spider mites, which are easy to miss at first. Leaf drop and shorter growth can have several causes, so I wouldn’t treat it as a definite diagnosis, but it’s worth checking before repotting or fertilizing.
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First, what kind of tree is it, and is it growing indoors or outside? A potted broadleaf plant and a recently transplanted evergreen need different troubleshooting. If this is an outdoor evergreen, transplant stress and loss of roots can be serious, especially in a larger tree. Browned evergreen branches generally won’t grow back, so fertilizer isn’t a reliable fix for damaged roots.
V8r!:
Right, the plant’s identity and whether it’s in a pot or in the ground would change the advice. A clear photo of the whole plant and the leaves could help narrow it down.
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brasslet:
That helps. I’ll check how the soil and roots look before changing the pot size.