Hello, everyone!
I just replaced a bloodgood that I got last year that died (due to my own lack of planting knowledge), and I have a few questions about this new tree. For a little context:
- I live in zone 6b.
- I bought the tree from a reputable local nursery.
- The dirt surrounding my house's foundation where the tree is planted is clay.
- This tree will receive morning to early afternoon sun and shade in the mid to late afternoon in the summer.
- The tree is about 8-9 feet tall after planting.
- Please see the attached pictures for reference.
- Should I cut out the root that appears to be girdled? If so, how close to the trunk should I cut it?
- Should I (or can I) prune the dead branch at the top of the tree? If so, is there anything I should avoid doing to prevent damage to the rest of the tree?
- The dirt surrounding my house is clay, and I'm almost certain that my last tree died from the "bath tub effect", leading to root rot. This time, I dug a drainage trench from one side of the tree to a nearby hillside, filled the trench with 1" clean white rock, and covered it with landscape fabric and decorative rock on top. Will that be enough drainage to prevent root rot?
- Are the base of the tree and root ball buried high enough above ground level? The top of the root ball is about 2-3 inches above ground level currently.
- Should I fertilize at all this year? If so, how much and which kind is best?
- How often should I be watering a newly planted tree of this size?
Please let me know if I left out any important information that will help answer these questions. I have very little gardening experience, so assume I know very little. I won't be offended. Thanks!