Having removed a quantity of compost from around the perimeter of the pot exposing the roots, and removing the vine weevils found, this area now needs to be “back-filled” with new compost.
In situations where the tree is weak and suffering, a compost mix containing chopped sphagnum moss is extremely beneficial and often leads to a rapid recovery in the trees health.

The compost mix was worked into the roots around the perimeter of the pot using a chopstick to settle the compost particles and remove any voids.

This picture shows some of the vine weevils that were removed from the compost. Quite a few were dispatched before I thought of keeping them for a “group photo”.

Following this procedure the tree was kept under cover in the conservatory as there was a drop in night time temperatures, and some cold winds. The tree was misted morning and evening.
It was not until the start of June 2006 that the tree was put back outside again, when there were signs of recovery and buds were now developing and opening generally around the tree.