Help with Juniper!

[mrmd101]

I have a 70 year old shimpaku juniper that I have taken care of over the past 3 years. I recently moved from Georgia to Sacramento, CA and the tree suffered a serious hit from the move likely from my packaging and heat. I had watered the plant thoroughly and wrapped the soil/pot in plastic and then covered the tree with a bag. I placed it in the trunk of my car and the car took about 8 days in transit (estimate given was 3 days by the transport company). It looks like the tree has lost about 3/4 of its leaves. I am giving it a few months before declaring it dead.

I've attached pictures of the tree. I need help in understanding what conditions I should place the tree in for revival. The tree was also recently repotted in March.

Sun light- direct or indirect and how many hours?

Moisture - how often should I be watering? Should I keep the soil moist as normal?

Fertilizer - yes/no? If yes then what balance to use?

Any other suggestions?


Thank you in advance!

 

[Topdec]

Hi, I'm no expert but I don't think that much damage would have been caused in 1 week if the tree was wrapped like you suggest. The damage may have happened weeks before as juniper foliage can stay green for quite sometime after it is actually dead! Sorry I hope it recovers

 

[shimbrypaku]

Your picture doesn’t look good.
Are you stating that the tree was in transit for eight days(8) without water and sun?

 

[mrmd101]

Your picture doesn’t look good.
Are you stating that the tree was in transit for eight days(8) without water and sun?

Hey yes. It was without water and sun for those 8 days. It was supposed to be an expedited transport for 3 days but the company had some excuse and the plant suffered. I did water it and wrap it with plastic tightly and covered the tree for the transport. It seems like it held the moisture, but I didn't take into account the heat. It was about 100 degrees in Georgia and in Sacramento and the car was on an open truck. Prior to this move the tree was fairly healthy and doing great as usual. The first picture is from when I got the car and the other 2 pictures are from today about 2 weeks later. Any advice on maximizing the chances of it surviving would be great.

 

[shimbrypaku]

Sorry about the tree, is doesn’t look good, the only thing I can recommend is a humidity tent, large plastic bag, clear, and misting the remaining foliage, it a long shot.

Again sorry about your trees health.

 

[Paradox]

Sorry to tell you this but I think it's too late to save this tree.

 

[shimbrypaku]

True,
But I never give up hope until the entire tree (plant) is brown , dead.

Thanks

 

[shimbrypaku]

Shimpaku on it death bed, brown and black new growth , just rotted off, lost two others 30 + years old , only grown in a pot.

One cup hydrogen peroxide to one gallon of water, it was spring time, watered every three days.

It still lives.

Now the OP tree was subjected to heat and no water and sun, clear tent and misting is the only thing I have to offer.

Edit: this tree is container grown for 30+ years

Thanks

 

[shimbrypaku]

Yes, it needs thinning and wire.

November is coming.

Thanks

 

[mrmd101]

Just a quick update. There hasn't been further browning of the remaining leaves. I did scratch the branches and the ones with the leaves still have green cabium. The ones without the leaves still bend without breaking but hard to see any green. None of the branches have become brittle enough where they snap off.
Not sure if this has any meaning to the life of the tree but would it help to prune off all the branches without the leaves?

 

[Topdec]

Hopefully there is life in some part of the plant, I wouldn't go crazy cutting all the other branches off just yet, even if they are dead you may be able to jin some of them to add character to the tree if it survives!

 

[pmalelis]

Update? Did it make it?

 

[mrmd101]

Update? Did it make it?

Definitely did not. It was a slow and painful death.