Trees gone spindly don't know what to do

Discussion in 'Trees' started by Georgina Llewellyn, Aug 19, 2025.

  1. Georgina Llewellyn

    Georgina Llewellyn Apprentice Gardener

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    Have a few small trees that seem to be getting very spindly and leggy in plenty of sunlight and regularly watered and fed. What is the problem with them? They were repotted not long ago.

    IMG-20250819-WA0002.jpg IMG-20250819-WA0000.jpg IMG-20250819-WA0001.jpg IMG-20250819-WA0003.jpg
     
  2. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

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    What trees are they and how old?
     
  3. Tidemark

    Tidemark Total Gardener

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    They are in half-full pots of compost. I would venture to suggest that they are aching to be moved out into the big wide world and to feel the ground under their feet.
     
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      Starvation comes to mind.;)
       
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      • Plantminded

        Plantminded Total Gardener

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        Despite regular watering, the volume of soil in your pots will unfortunately limit the potential for growth and lead to the symptoms you are seeing. Trees really need to be in the ground or very large pots containing a soil based compost which retains moisture and drains well. If you have limited space where you are it might be worth considering growing something else which will be happy in a container like a small shrub or a climber.
         
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        • Spruce

          Spruce Glad to be back .....

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          Sorry but I have run out of patience to answer ,, we are getting a lot of new members first post with pictures lately
           
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          • fairygirl

            fairygirl Total Gardener

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            Unfortunately, feeding them won't help [and can sometimes make things worse] if they're already struggling, which they clearly are @Georgina Llewellyn . I agree with the others re the lack of growing medium, and the pots. If they've only just been moved into those pots too, they must have been really starving.
            Many trees and shrubs won't like being potted long term either, unless the pots are a suitable size, and they have the right soil mix. When they're tucked against walls and/or fences as well, that affects how much light they get, as well as rainwater, and it all adds up over time.
            If you can give more info, inclduing a rough idea of the location you're in, as well as the type of trees [as already said] that will help with advice.
            If you can't get them into the ground, you may have to review what you're growing, and find more suitable plants for your site. :smile:
             
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            • Goldenlily26

              Goldenlily26 Total Gardener

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              The weather conditions this summer have stressed most trees and shrubs so any recently repotted with have struggled even more. Your shrubs need to be in open ground and ideally should have been planted out in Spring to give the roots time to establish. It will probably take them a year or two to recover.
               
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              • fairygirl

                fairygirl Total Gardener

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                It largely depends on location/climate as to whether potted plants of any kind are struggling, but I also wonder if the water is just running through, and therefore it appears they're well watered, when the water is just running through the gaps in the very dry soil/compost.
                Once a pot dries out @Georgina Llewellyn, it can be very hard to rehydrate it well, and it needs to go into a saucer or tray, and then get watered. Any water running through can then be absorbed properly, as the roots and soil act like a sponge.
                In any case, we'd need the OP to come back with some more info :smile:
                 
              • Tidemark

                Tidemark Total Gardener

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                Is it my imagination or have there been quite a few new posters who ask a question and don’t respond to the replies? I was wondering if AI is collecting knowledge on certain subjects and storing them up for later use? Or am I just old and suspicious?
                 
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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  I think there has always been posters that probably post the same question on multiple forums, then forget where they posted some of them.
                   
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