Small Leaf Limes not looking well

[DavidPow]

Hey, first time poster so thank you for any help you can offer. 

 

I have three small leafed limes, around three years old. They are planted in a field in an exposed location. 

 

They were looking very healthy until the start of this summer when all three have started to look rather unwell. Please could anyone advise what the issue might be and if there is anything I can do to revive them? Thanks so much.

[openspaceman]

They just look desiccated to me,has anything been at the roots?

[nepia]

Is there a generous circle of clear ground around the bases?  There needs to be as turf absorbs almost infinite amounts of rain

[Stere]

When were they planted?

 

Stakes and the look of the trees  suggest they were planted more recently rather  than being there  a few yrs growing?

 

 

Looks like a  wind swept site can see a "fell" top in background?

 

Being  windy maybe the  lime is suffering from of the  increase in transpiration rate from the wind  esp as the roots may not  have established yet versus the  large top growth

 

 

 

Better establisment to be had with smaller 1yrs old trees and consider planting a wind break  of willow whips etc.....

 

Hard to say if a  drought  though may also be a factor

 

Normally if a  drought grass wouldn't look so lush, but such upland places sometimes have a moss carpet than retains moisture...

Edited August 25 by Stere

[dumper]

Look like they haven’t been watered and are suffering from wind desssication, too much top and too little root or available moisture

 water well and put up a wind break, mulch heavily and remove 1/3 of the branches either by tipping back or cutting at trunk. 
is it right tree right place 

probably too large a specimen if they fail try much smalller and a tree tube

[DavidPow]

Thank you everyone for your replies - very hugely appreciated. I will take your advice on board and get to work! Thank you

[DavidPow]

FYI This is an exceptionally wet field but it has dried out in the last month or so and is very windy. It maybe that they are in need of water and a wind break if I can. I will also add the mulch as recommended.