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Garden: Burlap sack at the root of dull dogwood problem

Q. I planted a redbud and a pink dogwood two years ago, but they don’t seem to be growing at all. I planted the trees in large, deep holes with peat moss and bonemeal. I left the burlap sacks on which may have been a mistake.
Pink Dogwood.
Pink Dogwood.

Q. I planted a redbud and a pink dogwood two years ago, but they don’t seem to be growing at all. I planted the trees in large, deep holes with peat moss and bonemeal. I left the burlap sacks on which may have been a mistake. The redbud had a few flowers last spring and not many leaves. Some limb offshoots were dried out and dead. The dogwood bloomed nicely but the leaves seemed mottled and lifeless all summer. I did water them a fair amount last summer. What can I do to ensure better propagation of both trees?
Ron Tuckey, Burnaby


A. Leaving the burlap on could account for 90 per cent of the problem. Some people will tell you it doesn’t matter, but burlap doesn’t rot that fast, especially if the soil is well-drained. The long, hot summers we’ve had would deter rotting even more.
It’s very likely that the tree roots were wrapped around in a circle within the burlap and if they grew at all would have been continuing to circle within the burlap instead of reaching out.
I am wondering why you called the holes “deep.” If the trees were deeper in your holes than the soil lines on the trunk, they would have been too deep. Roots need oxygen which is why many tree roots are within a few inches of the surface.
I hate to recommend lifting them again and re-planting them because this will be another shock to trees, which already aren’t doing well. But really, Ron, it’s the only way.
Remove the burlap completely and spread out the roots so they lead away from the trunk as you replant.
It’s best to put very little compost in the new planting hole because you want the tree roots to have a good reason to reach out. Once the trees are safely planted, sprinkle some bonemeal and Sea Soil or manure around the drip line.
Before the summer, it would be useful to mulch around the trees with a layer of grass clippings to hold in moisture.
Try to water the trees at least twice a week this summer if nature doesn’t do it for you.