Nellie Stevens Holly

[MikeC]

Ours is exhibiting lots of new growth but the tree is also losing a lot of leaves, turning yellow and falling off. Is this normal? My wife was wondering if it might be an iron deficiency or something. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mike

[Scott-in-Texas]

I am thinking lack of acidity, add some cotton burr compost. That should help since it is still slightly acidic, not neutral like most compost. I have the same horrible clay and rock soil that all of Keller seems to have.

Used coffee grinds scratched in around the base can help too.

[trailrunner]

I have the same problem and also have black spot. The leaves are falling off and parts are bare. I do have the small flowers though.

I did sick tree treatment, lava sand, green sand and cornmeal. I also watered well. How soon should I do compost tea and baking soda spray. Also how much baking soda in the spray?

[Dirt Doctor]

The only thing I have seen that bothers NRS is too much or too little water. Poor drainage can cause the too much water. Fungus on the leaves comes after the roots get in trouble. Fix the soil or root problem and the organic fungus control sprays will work.

[trailrunner]

I appreciate the reply but how can I fix the drainage NOW? They are about 4 feet tall and were here when we bought the house. I may have given them too much water over the hot summer last year. Do I just back off on the water?

[Dirt Doctor]

Yes, unless the roots have already beeen killed. Lifting the plants and raising the bed with more compost is best. If that's not possible, digging drainage ditch out to a lower point can be done. Fill the ditch with gravel.

[pstevens1]

Are you sure those leaves that are turning yellow and falling off aren't the leaves from last year's growth?