Hi everyone,
An inexperienced gardener here.
I have this beautiful flowering tree in my front yard (we only bought this house less than a year ago so I don't know the history of it nor am I sure on the type). I *think* it's an ornamental cherry tree because before its leaves grew back this spring, it had this short but amazing display of white/pale pink blossoms. Plus it also has a serrated leaf. But no cherry fruit.
Anyway, it's the last half of Summer here in Australia. A few weeks ago we had a two-week run of quite hot days (all 30C/86F+, with many at or 35C/95F). We're no stranger to hot days here in Australia but this was a longer than usual run and no rainfall during this time.
During this time, the cherry tree leaves started curling up and many of them have developed brown-ish holes/spots on them.
I had assumed it was underwatered and overheated, so I increased the water it was getting (left the hose slowing running for 30-60 mins every day). I was hoping the tree would recover with additional water and after the hot days passed. It hasn't. :(
There is buffalo grass underneath, with a 2.5-metre square gap (8 ft) at the base of the tree. The lawn gets lots of water too (but I suspect soaks most of it up itself).
I'm also concerned that it could be lawn fertiliser that caused this too, as coincidently I fertilised the lawn about a week before this started occurring.
Any advice about what could be causing this and how to help this tree recover would be appreciated. It's a lovely mature tree that I really hope will bounce back!
Many thanks in advance
Andrew
