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Is My Raspberry tree dying?

Is My Raspberry tree dying?

Question from Shoot User
1763 2
I recently bought a bare root raspberry tree and planted it in January. However, the cane has turned brown over the last week. Is it normal for this to happen? Will new canes start forming in Spring or is my tree dying?
Posted: Monday 20th of February 2012 12:07 PM

  • Re: Is My Raspberry tree dying?

    Kathy N
    Hi, Louise,
    Under what conditions was it planted? Was the soil warm enough or are you in an area where it has frozen? What has aftercare been? Weather? Is it firmly in the ground or does it move if gently tugged? Turning brown doesn't sound good, but could you post a photo? You can test to see if it is still alive - scrape away the top layer of the branch - if you see green underneath, it is most likely still alive.
    Kathy C
    Replied: Monday 20th of February 2012 09:50 PM

    • Re: Re: Is My Raspberry tree dying?

      Shoot User
      Hi Kathy,

      Thanks for replying. Like I said, I planted it in January. I live in Northern Ireland and the weather has been extremely mild here this winter with no freezing temperatures this year where I live. I also planted it in a pot with compost from a bag so there was no risk of it being frozen. It is firmly in the ground. There has been quite a bit of rain but I don't think it should be waterlogged in a well draining pot? I've attached 2 photos for you to look at. Hopefully, you'll be able to shed some light on the situation for me. I'll be devastated if it's dead before it's even started growing. :(

      Thanks for all your help.
      Louise

      Click images to enlarge
      https://d30qmn300ic0sk.cloudfront.net/assets/users/user_41232/forum_10764_752_20120221202836.jpghttps://d30qmn300ic0sk.cloudfront.net/assets/users/user_41232/forum_10764_647_20120221202837.jpg
      Replied: Tuesday 21st of February 2012 08:28 PM

  • Re: Is My Raspberry tree dying?

    Emma White
    Hi Louise,

    I wouldn't give up hope with your raspberry yet - they are very robust plants and it might come away in the spring. Last year I potted up a couple of raspberry runners as an experiment, which I thought had died in the summer heat, but they suddenly started growing again. It sounds like you did everything fine, so give it a couple of months - it may spring up from its tough roots.

    Emma
    Replied: Thursday 23rd of February 2012 09:49 AM

    • Re: Re: Is My Raspberry tree dying?

      Shoot User
      Hi Emma,

      I did a little dance of joy on reading your reply. I desperately want my rasberry tree to be a success and I've been so down-hearted about my perceived failure.

      Do you think that I should cover it in a fleece just to protect it until Spring arrives?

      Louise
      Replied: Thursday 23rd of February 2012 10:28 AM

      • Re: Re: Re: Is My Raspberry tree dying?

        Emma White
        Hi Louise,

        I wouldn't have thought it would help much, but it certainly wouldn't harm it if it will reassure you. I'd be very interested to know if it does come away, and will keep my fingers crossed for you!

        Emma
        Replied: Thursday 23rd of February 2012 10:56 AM

        • Re: Is My Raspberry tree dying?

          Shoot User
          Hi Emma,

          I just wanted to quickly pick your brain. You can see from the photos I posted that the cane on my raspberry tree looks (to me anyway) like it's dead. Should I prune it right back or should I just leave it?

          Louise
          Replied: Wednesday 29th of February 2012 08:26 AM

          • Re: Re: Is My Raspberry tree dying?

            Emma White
            Hi Louise,

            I would probably just leave it actually. I think you just need to let it do its own thing now and hope it will spring back in to action. My raspberries are only just starting to bud, so it may well be a month or more before you know what's going on.

            Emma
            Replied: Wednesday 29th of February 2012 12:52 PM
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