Canadian Hemlock

[Art67]

I planted a small 3 gallon Canadian Hemlock in October 2021. It was a nice green little tree. Now in April, it turns yellowish. I'm wondering if this is a sign of dying. I'm in New Jersey, and we had lots of heavy rainstorms Feb thru April, and I know that hemlock hates overwatering.
Are there any measures that would help save the tree? Any recommendations will be appreciated.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

How much money are you prepared to spend to save it?

 

[Raintree]

Most likely an abiotic issue. Best to wait until it breaks bud to see what life is there.

 

[ATH]

does it get salt runoff or spray?

 

[Art67]

does it get salt runoff or spray?

No salt runoff, no spray.

 

[Raintree]

If I were to guess, winter injury on a new transplant. Hemlocks do well in wet soils not so much in poor drainage, waterlogged soils.

 

[Automender]

I bought two 6 foot Canadian Hemlock trees about five years ago. One is about ten feet and the other is about 8. The shorter one is struggling and is showing some brown. I have nursed it along and this is what I think it wrong. First I made sure the root zone is covered with compost or leaves to keep a cool root zone. Next I added liquid iron to help to green it up and it has helped some. Third and what I think is wrong with yours is windburn, When the root ball is not established the wind will pull more water from the plant than what the plant has stored. I have tried a product called Wilt Stop which is like a sap to prevent windburn. Also there is a systemic insecticide used to prevent a know pest of that tree.. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/how_to_treat_hemlock_trees_for_hemlock_woolly_adelgid

 

[ATH]

Wooly Adelgid is readily visible if you have it. Look for white on bottoms of needles. I'd only treat if you find it. It won't kill a tree quickly...takes time for that population to build, so if you are actively monitoring, you can treat when you see it.

anti-desiccant is a good idea for exposed hemlock. They do like growing in some protection.

 

[Automender]

Wooly Adelgid is readily visible if you have it. Look for white on bottoms of needles. I'd only treat if you find it. It won't kill a tree quickly...takes time for that population to build, so if you are actively monitoring, you can treat when you see it.

anti-desiccant is a good idea for exposed hemlock. They do like growing in some protection.

Systemic insecticide takes a year to travel up a tree but maybe a small one gets protected quicker. I use Bayer's Systemic Insecticide, not sure of the exact chemical but it saved a Magnolia tree that had some infestation.. There is a generic brand that is a lot cheaper. Winter rains I don't believe will harm a hemlock since the plant is dormant. Usually I have read that spring time is the time to plant hemlocks so they develop roots to take up water before the winter freeze. Also no fertilizer for the first couple years so the green growth is in balance with the root zone size.

 

[ATH]

Imidacloprid only takes a month to make it into a big tree...and it is slower moving than other options like dinotefuran. If you treat at first sign of hemlock wooly Adelgid, there is plenty time to effectively treat.