deciduous tree growth -question

Hi all, I have a tree question.

Here in New Zealand we have a mix of native, endemic (both almost 
entirely evergreen) and deciduous trees imported for their autumn colour. 
Although always very appreciative of deciduous trees it seems I have 
never before paid close attention to their growth habits and requirements 
apart from general basic observations like the leaves coming in the spring 
in succession through the varieties of trees, speed of growth from year to 
year etc.

This has now changed because a couple of years ago we bought an 
horizontal elm. This tree came ready grafted with a couple of years good 
growth on the top and we planted it in fairly sandy, well drained soil, 
watering it well in the growing season. After planting the dormant tree in 
the late fall (digging a deep, wide hole and trying to do it right) it settled in 
ok and produced good growth in the following spring. However, after a 
couple of months the growing tips aborted and the leaves yellowed off and 
fell. I checked the soil for moisture and although not wet it was fairly moist 
as we were watering a garden beneath the tree during the spring.

Well, the tree happily overwintered and produced excellent new growth this 
spring (about 5 feet of new growth for each branch). Our spring produced 
double normal rainfall (6 inches - 150mm, for each of Nov and Dec). The 
roots are running well. Now again the leaves are yellowing off 
progressively from the oldest growth to the newest and the growth tips are 
aborting.

My feeling is that the tree may well have only a short growing season (I 
notice that some poplars are beginning to do the same and I shall be 
checking out other elms in the district) and I'm pretty sure this is not Dutch 
Elm disease. Sure, I will educate myself about my elm, but I'm wondering 
what growth seasons you people get for your trees and if they differ greatly 
among species and varieties?

Is there an internet tree list I could subscribe to?

Good to see the group is still alive and well.

cheers

Terry Dowdeswell
692 Brunswick Road
RD1
Wanganui
New Zealand
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
terry@delphinium.co.nz
http://www.delphinium.co.nz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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