Dried out elm

jkg777

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I have an elm that got really dried out while I was delayed out of town and had a watering issue (damn chimpmunks ate the drip hose) and 99% of the leaves dried out. There were a few leaves still green on the tree when I got back. I have watered/misted it and got it to start to push out new leaves after 2 weeks, so it looks like I caught it it time.

Currently it's outside in the shady spot where it does get about 1 hour of filtered sunlight.

Should I just leave it where it is since it's pushing new leaves or should I move it to a sunnier spot to give it more sunlight to help it along?

Thanks.
 

Shibui

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Great that you managed to rehydrate the tree in time. Most are pretty resilient but there's a line somewhere and dry for long enough means death.
I would not let new leaves open in shade. They will be adapted to shade and when you want to move it back to a sunnier position those leaves are at risk of sunburn. Any damage is already done. You have rehydrated the soil, roots and plant tissues so the tree is as well as ever and new leaves will open no matter where the tree is located. There is no need for shade for further recovery.
Assuming you can manage watering through summer, put it back into its usual position so the new leaves adjust to the light levels as they open.
 

jkg777

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Great that you managed to rehydrate the tree in time. Most are pretty resilient but there's a line somewhere and dry for long enough means death.
I would not let new leaves open in shade. They will be adapted to shade and when you want to move it back to a sunnier position those leaves are at risk of sunburn. Any damage is already done. You have rehydrated the soil, roots and plant tissues so the tree is as well as ever and new leaves will open no matter where the tree is located. There is no need for shade for further recovery.
Assuming you can manage watering through summer, put it back into its usual position so the new leaves adjust to the light levels as they open.

Thank you for the advice. It all makes sense to me.
 
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