What's up with some of my beech whips? Some photos.

A few months ago I bought a fair number of Fagus Sylvatica in five litre pots (these are about 3 to 4 feet high), most I planted but then I had to pause due to doing my back in so the rest are still in their pots.

I've now started planted them and have noticed that in various places (not just the top) on different plants the new leaves have wilted and dried, this can apply to any twigs that they are on too.

My main concern is that of any disease - I don't want to plant them near the others if they are diseased. However, if it looks like I've just not been watering them enough (which is quite possible!) then I will of course plant them.

Here's two photos of the worst affected ones, eight more have this too but they are very minor in comparison.

 

It does look like they may have dried out at some point, or did you move them at some time from shade to sunshine.

 

Thanks. They've not been moved since I received them so hopefully it was just lack of water. They were in a relatively shaded area though and only received partial sun.

So do you think it should be okay to trim off the affected parts and plant them? Just want to be sure of any disease possibility.

 

Personally I'd plant them, I dont think its a disease, but I'm no plant scientist and its not really that easy to say from a picture.

 

Thank you.

 

Well I've trimmed off all of the dead leaves and twigs so will now plant them in the hope that they weren't diseased in some way.

 

They look like they've been up against a wall? If so, that's often a real rain shadow, depending on the aspect, so they'd have dried out very easily.
Anything potted needs attention to check the moisture level is ok, and the foliage would also have prevented any rain getting in unless you had good, consistent rainfall. It doesn't take long for a woody plant of that size, to dry out in a small container, which is what a 5 litre pot is.

 

Yes, they were against a wall, but most were against a west facing wall which gets a fair amount of rain. It has though been mostly dry of late so I have been watering them but perhaps not enough.

Thank you.

Another question - because the main growing tips were dead on a few of them I of course cut those off too, hope they'll still rapidly branch upwards.