Hello all! I’m new to this forum. I come to you trying to save a dying rose tree. I have two that are both in the same bed which are on the same drip system, although they are about 20 feet apart. One is perfectly healthy, while the ones leaves are yellowing and then turning brown. Here is a picture.. Is this tree able to be saved and does this look like a water issue or a disease issue? Thank you and appreciate any input.
Welcome to the forum. Drip irrigation can vary very much depending on water pressure. It could be a watering issue. Dig down in a small area and either use a moisture meter or inserting your index finger down to the last knuckle. If the soil is moist then probably not a watering issue, however if it is too wet or too dry then you will need to adjust how you water this rose tree.
°I had exactly the same problem in July 2024, with a David Austin Desdemona tree. Here it’s N-E Florida. It was planted in a big pottery in March 2024 and did well during the first 3 months. Watered with automatic micro bubbler. Then suddenly, yellow leave as in your photo, and wilting. I was advised in this forum and here is what I did:
- Slowly and carefully laid the pottery and tree on the ground
- pulled the tree + root ball out of pottery
- checked the soil and saw it was all damp → the tree was asphyxiated.
- removed all soil at the bottom and saw the only drain hole was clogged
- drilled 4 or 5 additional holes at bottom of pottery
- refilled with good soil and replanted the tree, carefully to avoid breaking root ball
- Now in July 2025 this tree is beautiful and blooming like crazy.
-So don’t give up, there is hope and your tree will make it. But don’t waste time. - My 2024 call for help can be found in this forum. I got advised by somebody from CA.