Cornus Kousa 'Little Poncho' - how to acclimate to full sun zone 8

last month

Hello, my dilemma is that I have a French drain right where I had planned to put a Zelkova, so now I switched plans to use the 'Little Poncho' given it's root structure. It is on the SE side of house in full hot sun and while both an arborist and the nursery say it will be okay, I still worry. Please, does anyone know how I may help it acclimate?

Featured Answer

BillMN-z4a

last month

If you're looking for just temporary shade, to allow a smaller plant to establish.

A few garden stakes and burlap will supply a plant a few to several hours of shade a day.

Especially the late morning to late afternoon when the sun is really hot.

Binder clips work well to connect the burlap to the stakes.

Below has been through some pretty strong winds without a problem.

Picture was taken 7/31 at 11:00 AM and the shadow is just coming over the entire plant and continues until after 5:00 PM.

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Comments (7)

laceyvail 6A, WV
last month
What zone 8 are you talking about? If Pacific Northwest, it's likely OK.
Danell Hiltz thanked laceyvail 6A, WV
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last month
That's not an ideal siting. C. kousa are by nature understory trees so a full sun, exposed setting as described can certainly be a stressor. It is not uncommon to see established dogwoods in the PNW with curled, drooping leaves in summer as they react to sun, heat and drought. And summer drought is SOP for a PNW climate.

If you are sold on that specific location, then close attention for the first couple of summers is advised to make sure that the impact of sun, heat and dryness are minimized. Adequate watering is crucial.
Danell Hiltz thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
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UpperBayGardener (zone 7)
last month
Down here (mid-Atlantic) kousas definitely tend to look better with some shade - though I have sometimes seen ones in full sun, including at Longwood Gardens. OTOH, up in coastal Rhode Island, I was shocked by how many were in full sun. Notably, many pink ones...they just never look as good down here, whether in sun or shade. By the time they bloom it's too hot and the pink somehow goes off and looks dingy. So, it depends.
Danell Hiltz thanked UpperBayGardener (zone 7)
Danell Hiltz
Original Author
last month
Thank you all. I'm in the Medford, OR area, so yeah it can get triple digits here for about 45 - 60 days in the summer. The burlap shade is a good idea, and one I thought of, I just hope the tree will acclimate after a while. I cannot think of another tree that would work given the French drain.
UpperBayGardener (zone 7)
last month
last modified: last month
" I just hope the tree will acclimate after a while."

Don't count on it. We'll see what GG says, but I think in your especially hot part of the PNW, that tree is going to be doomed in full sun.

A reasonable approach in this situation is to see what other small trees are thriving in full sun in your area...
BillMN-z4a
last month
I have to agree.

Protecting a tree that can thrive in a full sun location is one thing.

Taking an understory tree and expect it to change into one that can take full, all-day sun...well, that's not going to happen.