[Arid_gardener] Cotton Wood loosing leaves

[Dick]

Just off the top of my head, "LV", without any idea of your soil texture, 
drainage conditions or geography, it sounds like way too much water too 
often. Remembering Cottonwoods on a farm in Nebraska, the species can 
tolerate, in fact prefers, constant moisture but cannot survive in saturated 
soil. Irrigate near the drip line to a depth of about two feet checked with 
a soil probe until you are familiar with your soil properties and don't 
water again the surface is quite dry two or three inches deep. With frequent 
cycles, your feeder roots may be concentrated too near the surface. Ideally, 
if you can learn to read the leaves, irrigate when you detect a slight loss 
of luster and a suttle limp of foliage during the heat of the day.  That 
requires a discerning eye but most practiced gardeners have the technique 
honed to an instinct. You can also learn to use a soil probe to detect the 
need to irrigate. A soil probe is simply a 36 inch length of 1/4th inch 
brass rod with a 5 inch piece of broom handle on one end and a dull point on 
the other. When you can sink the probe straight down to the hilt, shut off 
the water. Don't let kids play Zorro with the sword.

Deeply established roots are much less reactive to climate changes.

Also, aren't cottonwoods a deciduous species in climates with distinct 
seasons. If not a seasonal reaction, the problem lies in your irrigation 
practices. Remember that a root system needs lots of oxygen and you may juse 
be drowning this poor organism. Your area nurseryman may have intelligent 
clues. Try him.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer, U of A Maricopa County
Cooperative Extension.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "L V" <fitnessgirlaz at hotmail.com>
To: <Arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu>
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 8:41 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Cotton Wood loosing leaves


>I have 2 cotton wood trees, one 6 yrs and the other 2 yrs old and they will 
>all of a sudden loose a ton of leaves and they look really bare.  I slow 
>drip water them once a week for about 8 hours and also water on a faster 
>drip 1 other time during the week.  I know they need a lot of water, but it 
>seems to happen after I have watered them.  They look really unhealthy. 
>Any ideas what I am doing wrong?
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> A new home for Mom, no cleanup required. All starts here. 
> http://www.reallivemoms.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM&loc=us
>
> _______________________________________________
> Arid_gardener mailing list
> Arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
> http://CALS.arizona.edu/mailman2/listinfo/arid_gardener