Soil in box. Will add mulch soon

big city loction plz ...

is the box bottomless... can the roots get to mother earth??

it APPEARS that the entire media is not moist.. is that true.. or just a camera trick ..

ken

NYC. The bottom is lined. The top of the soil has probably dried a little in the sun, but there’s been rain for the past 2 days, and heavy rain a few days ago as well.

How deep is the box? Given the poor state of the tree and its being planted in a container I don’t hold out much hope for recovery. The soil is already over the root flare so there’s no room for mulch on top. The harsh pruning job is also an invitation to disease. To be frank I’d start again. Remove the liner and buy small a healthy young tree. Do you have an out if the way spot where you could plant this one where it can revive or die in seclusion rather than in full view?

The box is about 27” deep. Would you suggest removing soil to add mulch or removing the lining of the box?

Not really, the yard is small and there wouldn’t be a place for it— would replanting in the ground help?

I'd remove the tree and soil. Then I’d remove the liner from the bottom of the box and break up the ground beneath it. Then I’d refill the box and replant the tree. Personally I wouldn’t bother to mulch a container but that’s up to you.

And yes, the tree would be happier and easier to care for in the ground. It would find most if its own nutrition and water and be much more independent. Also it’s currently planted up against a corner where it can’t express its natural weeping habit. However, the tree is a pretty sad specimen so even in the ground its recovery wouldn’t be guaranteed.

Why the box, which is much too small? And looks like you filled it with beach sand. Also yes, you may have killed the tree digging it up during the growing season - check for definite signs of life before putting anymore into this project.