yellowing leaves...

DJSend

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legatoistheman

I just got a chinese elm the other day. I live in a cold climate like yours, Pennsylvania zone 6, and from what I have been told Elms dont like to be watered that much. Also, from what i can tell from your post, watering twice a day, even once a day is way too much for most trees unless they are in a well draining soil, (example akadama, in a bonsai pot), or your climate is really hot, and I know Chicago can get colder than PA and usually does.

Of course there are other factors, like winds that can dry out the tree as well. I dont know though because im not familiar with your particular microclimate there.

A lot of my trees, while none that big only get watered once every couple days, so I think that you might be watering the tree too much.

Disclaimer: I am no expert on anything, but I have found that watering too much will kill a tree just as fast as watering too little.

Hope this helps
Fred

ArcLad

I totally agree with Fred. When you said you are down to watering once a day I was kinda shocked cause I water mine once every few days. I was worried at how much you watered it before you were down to one.

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rockm

Um, elms are deciduous. They lose their leaves in the fall...Elm leaves turn yellow and drop in autumn--unless you're keeping them indoors, then if they're turning yellow, its probably a watering issue.

The collected elm is definitely dropping its leaves in preparation for dormancy.

DJSend

legatoistheman

if the soil is dry to the touch it doesnt matter because the soil could be wet underneath. You have to put your finger at least one inch into the soil to check how wet it is. I have had trees that have leaves that are curling up and dying or getting yellow at the top of the tree, and the bottom branches leaves are fine.

I don't know what the exact problem is but in any case even if it is hot, watering a regular loam type of soil (potting soil) more than once a day, and even once a day for some trees is never a good idea. The soil holds too much moisture for that and all that moisture can lead to the roots rotting, and the tree dying.

I cant say that overwatering is the sure root of your problem, but I can say that once i stopped watering my trees as much the yellow and dying leaves disappeared.

Sincerely,
Fred

rockm

"I was just confused as to why it was only the leaves close to the trunk, my thinking is it would start at the end of the branch and move inward"

Nope. Sometimes it works the other way.

DJSend

I weas using the toothpick or finger to poke the soil method and it always felt dry. Thank you all so much for your help!~

Kind Regards
~ Jay