Receiving Startlings – Startlings delivered to you will be 6 to 10 inches tall. Keep them in a partially shaded protected area for 5 to 7 days before planting. This lets them get over any shock from shipping and allows the bark to harden. Make sure they have water.

Planting In Ground – Dig a big hole at least 2-3 feet deep and at least 18-36 inches in diameter. (Empress Splendor™ Trees are naturally deep rooting, but we still recommend planting at least 8 feet from a walkway or foundation).

Select a site that drains well. Avoid low lying or wetland. You want to make sure the water table is at least 4 feet or more below the surface. Empress Splendor™ Trees do not like wet feet. Left in standing water, the roots will rot. If planting in poor soil – mix in some planting soil or mulch. When removing the Empress Splendor™ Tree from the container, be careful not to break up the root ball prior to planting. Once you have planted the tree, pack the soil firmly around the startling making sure there are no air pockets around the root system.

Watering – After the tree has been planted in the ground, water with a deep soaking rather than frequent light watering. This trains the tree to look for water deep down rather than towards the surface. Trees respond by growing roots down instead of out.

It is very important for the soil around the roots to stay moist but not wet. Let the rest of the soil around the tree dry out before watering. If leaves are drooping, it is a sign of over or under watering.
           
Over Watering: If you are watering frequently and the leaves continue to droop, even after the sun has gone down, stop watering until you notice the leaves coming back.

Under Watering: If the leaves are drooping day and night and you have not been watering, then the tree is in need of a deep soaking.

It is not uncommon for the leaves to droop during the heat of the day, but once the sun goes down they should perk up again. If the leaves do not perk up by morning, it could be because you’re over or under watering.

Fertilizer – Empress Splendor™ Trees love fertilizer. Organic fertilizer, high in nitrogen, works best. Empress Splendor™ Trees love chicken manure if you have access to it. Purchase fertilizer from your local nursery for “Flowering Trees and Shrubs” and follow the directions from the manufacturer.  You can also use Miracle Grow or a slow release fertilizer. Based on your soil condition, fertilize as required. Please note: If the leaves are dark green, then they are getting an adequate amount of fertilizer. Pale green leaves means that they are not getting enough nutrition. If the leaves are yellowing, the tree needs more fertilizer. Stop fertilizing before the tree goes back into dormancy in the fall. 

Weed Control – Roundup can be used up to 8-10 weeks prior to planting. Grasses and weeds should be eliminated before planting. They compete against the tree and take nutrients and moisture away, slowing initial growth. Once planted, care should be taken not to allow herbicide spray to drift on to the young trees before they have had a chance to develop a hardened bark. Keep weeds and grass two feet away from the tree in the first year. Pull the weeds initially, and then you can use a growing mat or mulch.

Pests and Disease – The only pests you may see are caterpillars. They may eat the leaves of your tree which are very important in the early stages of your Empress Splendor™ Tree’s growth. The product, “Sevin Dust” will take care of them.

The best defense is a healthy tree. Empress Splendor™ Trees are very hardy. Good soil, good feeding and keeping the tree from getting too much water is the key to its prosperity.

Deer – Deer have been known to eat the Empress Splendor™ Trees leaves if there is nothing more appetizing around. You have two options: Sprinkle some “Deer Away” on the tops of the trees until the tree grows out of reach of the deer. Or, get a one gallon sprayer, fill it with water and add two to three raw eggs. Mix it up and spray it on some of the leaves and stems. The deer shy away from the scent.  Reapply mixture after it rains.

Branch Pruning –Large leaves grow in pairs up the tree (one on each side). Every few inches up the tree you will see a new set. These should be left on the tree to maximize photosynthesis. Remove any visible suckers taking care not to damage the main stem. 

Empress Splendor™ Trees are deciduous, so they will lose their big leaves in the winter.  When the tree has gone dormant and has lost its leaves, you will have what looks like a stick poking out of the ground. During the tree’s second spring, just above where each leaf was growing on the tree’s stem, you will see a little bud growing.  It is a permanent branch trying to grow. Pinch these off until you get to the height where you want your first branch to begin.  By pinching these budding branches off, the tree puts more energy into growing tall. Many Empress Splendor™ Tree growers will cut the tree back to the ground if they get less than 10 feet of growth the first year. When the tree grows back the following spring, it is not uncommon to get over 20 feet of growth in one season. Please call the office before you cut your tree for proper instructions.

Flowering – You should start seeing flowers blooming in the second or third spring.  They will bloom for approximately 4-6 weeks.  The flowers put off a fragrant jasmine, vanilla scent.

Temperature Range – from 0° F to 120° F

Pets – The tree is not poisonous. In fact, its leaves are fed to some livestock as fodder because of its high nutrition content.

Upon purchase, it is agreed upon that the Empress Splendor™ startling(s) will be used for planting only and WILL NOT be used for propagation or genetic manipulation of any kind.

Please call the office anytime if you require additional support.

1-888-693-(TREE) 8733 or e-mail Info@worldtreetech.com

Please note: It is difficult to ship startlings to you in perfect condition. If you have a damaged box you need to contact UPS immediately.  You will need to file a claim inside of 48 hours or your complaint will not be valid.  We cannot file your claim for you.  They normally send out a UPS representative to check the complaint.  Make sure that you take the startlings out of the box and care for them as instructed.

We try to package startlings with all the care possible. If you have a broken startling; cut off the top growth about 1/2” above the potting soil.  Leave the rootball in the startling tray.  Place the tray outside in the direct sunlight and water each day.  Do not keep the rootball soaking wet.  You may need to water morning & night if temperatures are over 80 deg. Feed each week with Miracle Grow.