Salix integra Flamingo Dying?

Hi

I bought a small Salix integra Flamingo in around April time. I think it's dying - it certainly doesn't look like it's thriving and I don't know what to else to do. It doesn't look like other people's...

I have been giving it some feed, watering most days if it doesn't rain. It got some ants on it so I put some sticky tape to stop that and sprayed the leaves with anti aphid.

Is this normal or is it dying? Is there anything I can do to save it?

Thanks for the help

 

Not my favourite type of tree so probably shouldn't comment.
To me they never look well and a bit sick.

Just keep watering it if its newly planted and hope for the best.

The graft looks a bit suspect.

 

If there are ants, it is too dry.

It's a willow so very thirsty already. It's also newly planted so needs extra help to establish good strong roots. I'd water it more generously and more frequently, especially in hot, dry spells.

 

Thanks. I'll try that

 

Ants often suggest aphids or scale insect.

 

Hi @Sue15

I have had flamingo trees in the past and found them very sensitive. The sun could easily scorch them - as a matter of fact I found they did better with considerable shade - and then in winter they would have die back from the cold. I must admit that it's a relief that they are gone.

I don't think your flamingo tree is dying, it probably just needs more watering and to be moved to a shadier spot. We have just come out of a very hot period, so that will have affected it.

Also, what did you use against aphids? Some of the eco friendly options, such a SB Invigorator, have specific temperature ranges for them to be effective and if the temperature is over that, they can cause some damage to the leaves. (Similarly for sulphur, but that is used for other purposes, not aphids.)

 

It looks as if it’s been planted very close to paving and the soil may be shallow near the edge of the paving and also poor. I’d remove any surrounding plants or weeds and incorporate lots of organic matter into the soil, not as a mulch but by blending it carefully into the soil. Keep the plant well watered but avoid waterlogging and consider moving it to a more suitable place in the autumn when it’s dormant.

 

I agree with you re these plants @pete, but that's a particularly poor specimen. It looks very badly damaged.
I also agree with where it's planted -not ideal at all. They need moisture retentive soil, and loads of regular water, so I think that's a classic example of wrong plant wrong place. The presence of ants is certainly suggesting all the opposite conditions that it needs. I'm not sure that'll recover, even if it has a perfect site. Whatever you do, don't keep feeding it. That doesn't help an ailing plant. It's decent soil it needs rather than artificial food.
Unfortunately, you see these for sale everywhere - supermarkets, DIY stores etc, as well as G. Cs, and they seem very popular. Perhaps because they look/are 'instant' in terms of size.

 

Water, water, water, and don't feed while it's looking unhealthy (that's like giving a sick person a big rich dinner).
Most acers like shelter from winds and dappled shade so it might be in too exposed a position. Hot, dry and windy doesn't really suit them so the weather won't be helping.