[Clondoolusk]

Hi there, I planted lime trees 3 years ago and for the last two flowering seasons the leaves have had holes forming in them and are turning brown around the edges. The site is exposed to wind, could this be the problem and if so are they likely to be like this always, I figured they would need to establish but no changes as yet!! Please advise!

[Greengage]

any chance you could post a pic, browning may be caused by wind have you checked it for aphids.

[tippben]

Yep, the browning is wind burn. A superficial problem. There's nothing you can really do about it, as the wind (and sun) is sucking water out of the leaves faster than the tree can get the water from the ground into the leaves. As a result, the tree shuts the most vulnerable cells down, hence the browning. Holes are probably an insect, but we need to see what the damage looks like. Again, it's probably superficial. Remember that limes are evolved to thrive in climax woodland, in the shelter of many other trees. The more isolated and exposed they are, the worse they'll look to our eyes. From their point of view, if they're managing to survive using cell shut down stratagies, in a less than ideal position, they're doing fine.

[Clondoolusk]

Thanks greengage and tippben, I will forward on pictures as soon as the rain stops and allows me to go outside! Yeah they are healthy no doubt but just don't look as they should. Can't seem to find any insects so probably just wind. The thing I find strange is that the new leaves have literally come out within the last 10 days and already the holes are forming! Anyway will forward the pics later. Thanks again.

[pollen jim]

wind burn, seems right, same problem plum ,apples and all things green.

[Clondoolusk]

Hi pollen jim, yeah it's a pity in my case if I had known that wind would effect them so badly I probably wouldn't have planted them! Live and learn

[pollen jim]

. hi, try and plant big borders, thats what im doing, wud'nt give in, some years be better than others,

[john1412]

[Clondoolusk]

Thanks John 1412, Yeah planning on doing that over on another side of our site alright. Going to give the limes the rest of this year and if no change which I doubt there will be I might transfer them to the mini wooded area I have started! So not so extreme afterall!

[john1412]

sounds like a good plan, might I suggest then, you have a look around your direct area and see what trees are doing good and start off with planting them, I would image would give your woodland an bit of a boost

[Greengage]

depending on how big your area is I would include hazel for coppiceing can use rods for peas in garden, Whitethorn (Not blackthorn) Field maple, crab apple. Alder.