Hello - I was impressed with your site and wonder if you have any advice for a problem with my Zelkova. I've had it about 18 months and after about 6 months it started (and continues) to have all the leaves dry up (although remaining green) and fall off together. It looks dead for a while and then new leaves come - it looks great for 3-4 weeks and then they all fall off again! The tree is kept indoors (necessary through winter in the UK) and I have tried changing position to give more light, less light; watered more and less; fed more and less; sprayed the tree more and less - in fact I've tried all the variations I can think of in caring for it.

I am worried because the leaf loss cycle has happened maybe 10 times now and I don't know how much the tree can take. There is no evidence of insects or other pests.

I would be very grateful for any suggestions you may have.

Thankyou.

Chris Riley, Banbury, England.

Zelkova should be watered daily in summer, but about half as much in winter. Never let the rootball dry out. Feed the tree weekly for a month after the buds appear.

Although there is no problem keeping your Zelkova indoors during the winter, I think your problem (or rather your tree's) is that you are not allowing it to have a dormancy period. It is an outdoor tree, and should therefore be allowed all of the aspects found outdoors such as a dormant period in the winter, adequate humidity, sunlight and water.

The reason why your tree is reacting so strangely is because it, itself is confused and can't handle the indoor conditions of standard warmth, water and so forth when it should be leafless and in a stage where it can build up its energy for the next growing season. If you deprive your tree of this, it is very likely that it will die in the coming year.

I recommend that you put your tree in a sheltered position outside rather than having to face setting up adequate climate controls for the plant in your home during the winter.

I hope this information has been of help,

Dan