New pear (bare root this spring) leaves not unfurling

[Brack]

I planted a bunch of fruit trees a couple of months back. They're all leafing up and doing ok (even a few blossom on the cherry) but my pear (Concorde) has lots of leaves but they're all still curled. The curling is axial (in line with the vein) so they're like little tubes. It doesn't look like aphid/midge caused leaf curl (seen that on other plants last year). Theres no sign of insects or pests and the leaves are all green and healthy looking when unfurled by hand.

My guess is perhaps water related? We've had plenty rain recently but it's quite a big tree and probably hasn't got much root system in place yet. I don't actually know much so could be totally wrong on this though. I've put two watering cans on it tonight and put a circle of mulched bark around it, so hopefully that'll help. Has anyone any better ideas or have they seen it before?

[nickdub]

I'd agree that water is the likely problem. Bare root trees frequently get very dry at the bottom after being taken out of the ground - I usually soak any I get in a tub of water for 4 or 5 hours before planting. Also when a bare root tree is planted it pays to put the soil round the roots by hand a bit at a time and get it very firm by tamping it down with something like a sharpened fence post before adding more soil.

Best bet is to tip a large watering can full round near the trunk 3 or 4 times, and if it still looks bad to wrap the top during the sunniest part of the day with something like paper to keep the leaves from drying out - a large bag like you buy potatoes in would probably do the job.

Should be fine once the new roots start, but don't forget to give it a drink every week if we get a dry summer.

[Brack]

Thanks, looks like I'll be busy with the watering can this summer. Last year I laid 71 sq m of turf and had to keep it watered by hand for a few weeks, I thought I was over that 'fun'. I do have an IBC full of water from winter, plus a 12' pond so we shouldn't run out.

The trees have all been in since march, I'd neglected to do a great deal as they'd all seemed fine, budding up well, I assume it's just that once the leaves opened the pear is struggling to get enough water to cope with transpiration losses. The plum, cherry and Mirabelle have been fine, presumably prunus species need less water. The apple (howgate wonder) only has a couple of leaves starting to open up now so wouldn't have got to the same level of demand.

[veggiechicken]

I planted a couple of bare root pears a few weeks ago and their leaves look like yours - a lot less developed than the established pear trees. I hadn't even thought to worry about it until you posted, Brack.
Actually, I'm not going to worry about it now either!!

[devonuk]

I have Concorde and Beth planted winter 16-17 now coming into leaf. The Concorde is putting out rolled leaves which match your description so perhaps it's cultivar specific? Can't remember whether it did the same last year but I am not at all inclined to worry about it at this stage.