JHE - Should I Repot?

[Kodama]

Hey BNuts! Hope you can help offer some advice. I have a Jacqueline Hillier Elm that is a strong grower but suffered a slight dry spell. I was away for several days and had someone come over to water but they did not water enough or thoroughly enough even though I explained how thirsty this one is. Anyway, It had dried up and dropped over 50%-60% of its leaves but it's still kicking!

I was going to do a much needed repot this spring but since it lost those leaves right before turning colors for the fall im concerned it will not be storing enough energy with what is left going into winter to support a repot in the spring since it has been weakened at a critical time.

Should I sit that one out and see how it wakes up or would you do the repot?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

In my opinion, repotting now would be a very bad idea. Repotting would weaken an already weak tree. I would repot in spring, that would be your best bet.

Or you could let it grow in spring and repot in summer. If you can provide shade for a couple weeks after repotting, then move it back to a sun exposure as it recovers, repotting sometime after Aug 15 to Sept 15 can work. Though a spring repot is probably your best bet.

 

[Dav4]

Yeah, wait until re-pot season next spring. When you see buds swelling, go for it. It may be a good idea to provide a bit more winter protection than you might have otherwise... just don't let it dry out again now or this winter.

 

[Kodama]

Thank you for the feedback. I just want to be clear. I didn't mean to imply that I was considering repotting now heading into winter. Instead I meant to inquire if I should repot this spring knowing that over 1/2 half the leaves were lost and would not contribute to storing that energy for winter. Going into winter in a weaker state is my concern. Although I will take your advice to possibly plan the repot next summer instead if it shows signs of positive growth. Thank you kindly.