Dead monkey thorn?

[ABhyat]

Just got a black monkey thorn. And getting quite attached to it.

At first had lovely foliage but soon leaves started yellowing and literally fell off at the slightest tremor. I thought the tree lacked sunlight so I put outside where it could light all day. Not much regrowth happened and the tree became bare.

I also think I was not supplying enough water. I was told to drench the tree in summer until the water ran out of the drainage holes. The tree looks bare and Im worried it is dead...

I know these are semi-deciduous...and its the start of winter here in south africa (where I stay we have winter rains...). But doesnt this mean there should be SOME re-growth visible on the tree?

Your insight would mean all the world to me!

[mikey012076]

I do not know to much about this tree, but this link should help you with your tree or give you more info about it..
http://www.bonsai.za.org/2009/10/22/information-on-acacia-burkei-black-monkey-thorn/

Mike.....:O)

[Gina]

If you think that you weren't giving it enough water, that could well be a problem. They are deciduous, but mine isn't losing its leaves yet. It should be kept outdoors in summer, but where to keep it in winter depends on your climate. Where in South Africa are you?

[HellRaiser]

a bit of a nip in the air here in Johannesburg some mornnings, but definately nowhere near winter yet... still hitting upper 20's, low 30's, and some areas 40+ this week....
my burkei and galpinii are doing great on the balcony, get plenty sun, plenty water (every day to second day depending how hot the day was) and also enough to start water flowing out the drainage holes...
mine are protected by a shade net structure though, so although they get wind, they get no dew on them, and dew will be frost by winter time...
a picture of your tree might help?
and scratching a small piece of the bark, does it still seem to have life in it?

[Gina]

I was a bit nervous to suggest the scratch test on an Acacia because the bark peels off quite easily even when they are healthy. But I suppose HellRaiser is right - just try to scratch it in an inconspicuous place and see if there is green cambium underneath.

[Jakes]

Hi, my acacia black monkey thorn is also not close to dropping leaves, actually it's still shooting new shoots, but at a slowing rate as winter approuches.
But it sounds like your tree is quite new at home.. I must say that I bought my acacia in a nursery plastic bag and when I got home I repotted the tree in a bonsai pot, this was close to its first winter with me..which resulted in all the leaves dropping also.

Please post a picture of your acacia.

[ABhyat]

Hi guys...I'm in Cape Town. Its already getting slighlty wet here but not too much. The tree is with a few other trees on a covered balcony with open air...they get morning sun until about 11am.

I tried scratching the tree like you said and closer down where the trunk is thick its green, but if I do it further up where the branches are...it looks pretty ungreen 0_0. There isnt a shoot in sight but my other trees (Kei apple, Ficus and Chinese snow rose) are all fine.

Weird...dont thick I should get trees from Stodels again.

[ABhyat]

Here is a pic of the tree

[ABhyat]

Repost pic...sorry [img] [img] [file]

[Jakes]

I'm afraid it does'n sound any good for your tree, but there is hope..
Try the pic again.. none posted.