Weeping Cherry Tree

[Poppycat]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a mail order cherry tree which has turned out to be a mistake. It has turned up and is not really as per the advert. I paid extra to buy a potted one rather than a bare root however when the tree came out of the pot all the compost was just loose and fell off. The tree was at least 10cm shorter than the minimum stated on the advert and seems to have been topped at 100cm (possibly correct) and then had new side growth pruned as well.

My questions are is this pruning correct, the company told me the tree would continue to grow from the bottom (sounds unlikely?). The roots are tiny and even the company have said its due to a slow growing year (not my fault) and its regrettable, is this acceptable?

Am I expecting too much? They have offered a small part refund but all I want is the taller, more mature tree I ordered.

[burnie]

If the item is not what you ordered and you are unhappy with it I would request a better replacement or a full refund if it were me

[nickdub]

Of it is not as specified in the advert you are legally entitled to a full refund, under the sale of goods act.

[SarrissUK]

I bought a decorative tree a couple of years ago from a supermarket. It died later that year, despite me having potted it up in a larger pot in compost bought from the same supermarket. I fed it too.
When it died, I took it out of the pot and realised it only had tiny, tiny roots coming out of the stick that the decorative graft had been stuck to, and it was clearly not enough to sustain the top. I took it back and demanded my money back and when they wanted to refuse, I said I'd stand in their entrance showing people coming in what a sad state their trees are in when sold. I got my money back in full for both the tree, compost and the larger pot.

[Poppycat]

Thank, this is how I feel. It has annoyed me that the guy on the phone seemed not to care and expected me to understand there were no roots because its been a bad growing year. I honestly think they have shoved a bare root tree into a bin liner full of compost.

Lesson learned though, I should buy locally from a specialist.

[veggiechicken]

If the company has a Facebook page, post about it there. They won't like the publicity.

[Jungle Jane]

Is it a one year maiden? I wonder if it’s supposed to be like that,some trees don’t like being container grown it could’ve been transplanted recently from a field to the pot,the pruning that’s been done sounds the same as in this link,plant it with some rootgrow to help the roots,it might all be ok?

“After planting or during the first winter before the tree breaks from dormancy in spring you must cut back the 1-year tree, a process known as "heading" or "topping". This has two benefits. Firstly it restores the balance of the tree between the top part and the roots, since the roots naturally get disturbed during the transplanting process. Secondly, it encourages side-branches to form at the correct height for the growing tree the following spring. It may feel counter-intuitive to do this, since in effect you are cutting a brand-new tree in half and throwing most of it away - but it is the best thing to do. If you do not prune the tree back the chances of it establishing successfully are reduced.

The height at which you make the cut is determined by how you want the tree to grow. Here are some guidelines, the height being measured from the soil level. Please do not take these suggestions too literally, it is best to cut just above a good cluster of buds at the approximate height suggested.

8" / 20cm for a step-over (usually on the M27 or Quince C rootstock)
16" / 40cm for a fan or espalier
36" / 80cm for a bush or cordon
40" / 1m for a central leader or spindlebush
4ft / 1.2m for half-standard on MM106 rootstock
If you are not sure, then a height of about 3ft / 1m (36-40 inches) is a good compromise for most rootstocks, or just under 30" / 0.75m for very dwarfing rootstocks such as M27”

https://www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/...ted-fruit-tree

[Poppycat]

Hi Jane,

It is supposed to be a 2 year old tree with a 4 year root stock. If this was just a 1 year old I had paid a tenner for in Aldi I would not be fussed. But I paid 30 quid expecting something a little better. The company said it has been a slow growing season which so I think they should have amended the website to show the lower height of the tree and that it was not potted with a developed root system.

Thank you for the information on the pruning though. It is a weeping tree so I will have to read through more to see what applies to that as I will buy something else.

[nickdub]

Given what you paid I'd definitely want a refund if I was in your place. If you get no joy on the phone then a letter explaining that you will be taking them to the small claims court should do the trick.

Don't forget to take a photo so you have some visual evidence if necessary.

[veggiechicken]

Was it from a company named after a spring flower, beginning with P?

[Poppycat]

Was it from a company named after a spring flower, beginning with P?

You might say that Veggie, I couldn't possibly comment. I have given up with them and have opened a dispute via Paypal.