Ill Japanese Tree Lilac

[Pondracer]

Here are some pics of the Japanese Tree Lilac I had planted around the end of April. It never looked good, when they delivered it I wasn't even sure it was the same tree I had picked several weeks earlier. Watering was done weekly, we made certain of it. Drought was bad here this year.

From April 28th

<img src=http://mindspear.com/yard/images/treelilac_may.jpg>

An additional 4 inches of black dirt was added to bring the soil level in the planter up to the edge.

From June 21st

<img src=http://mindspear.com/yard/images/garden_planter1.jpg>

This is a picture of the tree from this morning, August 31st

<img src=http://mindspear.com/yard/images/treelilac.jpg>

And here is a closeup of the yellowing/rust that has started in the leaves

<img src=http://mindspear.com/yard/images/treelilacleaf.jpg>

Anything I can do to help this thing survive the winter?

 

[treeman45246]

Tree may take a year or two to fill out and look good, but it doesn't look like a goner or anything like that. It looks pretty good in comparison with many street trees in this area. Just keep up with the watering when it is needed. A raised planter will take a little more moisture than trees in the ground.

 

[helpmytrees]

I wouldn't consider it rust. That implies fungal activity. When a leaf stops photosynthesizing, the next color in line, so to speak, shows up. It seems this tree is just under stress, most likely from transplant like treeman45246 said. It should come around. Continue to take these pictures on a monthly basis or even more often to keep a visual log of its progress.