hi there.
Trying to get the bottom of the yellowing of the leaves on this Quercus.
Been watered with hard water for some time and have been told that this potntially causes iron issues and that i shoulld treat with iron chelate.
Repotted this year onto quite a small pot.
Any input much appreciated.
thanks
John

It is definetely clorosis. There are several reasons why trees gets clorosis, Iron deficiency is the most common one.

If you are in the nortern hemisphere and it is a decidious oak I would not treat it now. Instead I would let the tree shed for the season and turn to soft water going forward. If the new spring leafs are still yellow I would start to treat it.

Hi John!

The yellowing of the leaves on your Quercus could indeed be related to iron deficiency, which can be exacerbated by watering with hard water. Hard water has a high pH, which can make it difficult for the tree to absorb iron from the soil, leading to chlorosis (yellowing leaves with green veins).

Treating the tree with iron chelate is a good idea because it provides iron in a form that’s easier for the tree to absorb, even in alkaline soils. Here are some additional steps you might consider:

1. Monitor Watering: Make sure you're not overwatering. Even though hard water can contribute to the problem, overwatering can also cause root issues, leading to nutrient deficiencies.
2. Check Soil pH: If the soil pH is too high, it can prevent the tree from absorbing iron effectively. If possible, test the soil pH and consider using a soil acidifier to lower it if necessary.
3. Repotting: Since the tree was repotted into a smaller pot, ensure that it has enough space for root growth and that the soil is well-draining. If the roots are too constrained, the tree might struggle to absorb nutrients properly.
4. Balanced Fertilization: Along with iron chelate, make sure the tree is getting a balanced fertilizer that includes other essential nutrients. Sometimes, yellowing can be a sign of multiple nutrient deficiencies.

Regular monitoring and adjustments should help improve the health of your Quercus. If the issue persists, you might want to consult with a local arborist or plant expert.


Thanks!

Thank you so much for your expertise.
All noted and going forward I think I’ll let this season go and re pot and treat in feb/march.

Thank you so much again

Would it be ok to re pot this in nov/dec. I have no intention of trimming the roots simply moving into a larger pot as I think its under potted at the moment which may be causing the chlorosis.
Or would it be best to wait for late feb/march

NB It was repotted to it current pot this year

Repotting includes root pruning. But, yes, you can uppot into a larger pot whenever you want.

Understood thank you.
Yes my intention is to solely “up-pot”