Cherry problem???

[Strawberry delight]

I have just bought a miniture cherry and plum tree from t&m.

Its sheding leaves and i was wondering if that is meant to happen.

Just a tad worried because they not cheap (or expensive) but wouldnt be buying anouther one if it died!!!

Am i worry-ing a bit too much?

Thanks very much?
Thanks in advance for any help!!!

SD

[rustylady]

It is Autumn/Winter, and at this time of the year trees shed their leaves. Just get their sites prepared and plant them. They should be fine.

[Strawberry delight]

Thanks very much!

[FB.]

My whitebeam tree has dropped almost all of its leaves, while my plum and pear trees are yellowing their leaves.

It's the time of year for trees to go dormant.
Just as the leaves are preparing to drop, trees send out a mass of new roots with the energy that was taken from the leaves.
Planting in autumn gives trees a chance to send out strong root growth into the moist and reasonably warm soil.
In my area, trees show more root growth in Sept-Nov than in all of the rest of the year combined, which really gives young trees a headstart with establishment.
In a few weeks time, the soil will be too cold and after that there will not be much further root growth until the ground warms again in about April.

Bear in mind that container-grown trees roots must be untangled or the tree will be slow to establish.
I suggest ignoring textbooks that tell you not to disturb the rootball.
I find it best to gently "claw" at the rootball to loosen half of the compost and allow many roots to dangle. These roots can then be planted with a deeper and wider spread (better for gathering water and nutrients) than simply if the tree goes straight into the ground.

[Strawberry delight]

Thanks F.B.

Another thing do i keep it inside, in the greenhouse or outside (in the frosts) Some plants need the frosts to survive.

Thanks!

[FB.]

It will need some winter chill for normal growth and fruiting.
If it will be grown in the ground, I'd just get it planted as soon as possible.

But if it's going to live in a pot all its life.........
In the colder parts of the UK, the pot may need some frost protection to prevent the roots suffering repeated freeze-thaw.
In the milder parts of the UK it would probably be OK outside.

Many people wrap outdoor pots with bubble wrap in winter, to try to keep the pot temperature more stable.
You can also keep the pots in a more sheltered location - e.g. not on the North side. It is surprising how much heat is emitted from house walls, so putting the pots close to the house can give a fair amount of frost protection.