Very large ash tree is dying...advice?

11 years ago

Its very old, around 50 ft. tall. Its the centerpiece of the property, so it would be a disaster if it dies.I am in S. Texas. We are having severe drought. Its really been on-going for several years. In the past it has been attacked by leaf cutter ants that almost stripped all the leaves, but it recovered...but never became as lush back in the spring as it should be. This summer I have not seen it attacked by leaf cutters, but all the foiage died off and now there are only a very few green shoots coming in on one or two of the branches...and there are probably not over a dozen mature leaves on it. I have been diligent to water it using a garden hose root-feeder, trying to get it to come back. I also crumbled a few tree food stakes and fed that, as well as pounding some of those tree food stakes into the ground underneath it. Its pure guess-work as to how much water the roots are getting. For all I know it could be getting too much water...who knows?

We are on well water irrigation here, and it is hard water, and salt content is pretty high. Can't do anything about that! Any ideas what I can do to save the tree, or better way to feed the roots?

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Comments (6)

eahamel
11 years ago
If it's an Arizona ash, it's at the end of its life. You need to cut it down before it falls on your house or other property. They are notorious for being short-lived, and branches will fall off with no warning. My parents planted some in the yard when they bought a new house in about 1957, and they had to be cut down a long time ago because they were dying and dropping large branches. There was one in my yard (before I bought the house) and one day it fell into the street, blocking it. There were 3 across the street from me, and one by one they dropped branches, two onto the house, others across the fence. They were all about 45-50 years old. That's just what they do. From my experience with them, I'd say it isn't drought related, though it isn't helping any. They were a very popular tree in the 1950's and 60's, but no more!
famartin
11 years ago
Wait til spring to see how it recovers. If recovery is poor... time to give up.
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The other problem with this tree is a rather large vertical crack starting from the ground and going right up. It's a frost crack - has been there for at least 2 years that I've noticed. From what I read, frost cracks on ash trees don't necessarily kill a tree but do give bugs an opportunity to crawl in there. After Rick's suggestion that it might be another borer, which I hadn't considered, I read about the Redheaded Ash Borer and the Banded Ash Clearwing Borer, native pests that attack ash trees. I'm quite certain there's something buggish in that tree, based on the woodpecker activity which is almost constant. I'm also thinking this tree is a goner - perhaps not from EAB but something else, slowly but surely. I'll still check it closely - I got some plants from southern Ontario a couple of years - is it possible for EAB to have travelled that way? Those plants are now planted right near that ash tree but that's got to be a stretch, no? Having to remove the tree will affect some plants that now benefit from the midday shade it provides (but they can be easily moved). Having to remove it will mean less ash seeds. Having to remove it give me the opportunity to plant something new there, and that's okay with me.
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famartin
11 years ago
Oh, and those tree fertilizer spikes are ineffective. Don't bother with them. Just a way for retailers to make quick cash on uninformed gardeners.
wisconsitom
11 years ago
Oh, and those tree fertilizer spikes are ineffective. Don't bother with them. Just a way for retailers to make quick cash on uninformed gardeners.

Somebody get me the smelling salts. I think I'm feeling faint!

Sorry Jimi-don't take it personal! I just get a little stirred up every time those things come up! I've been a professional hater of those products for a number of decades now! Do take this to heart though; Stressed trees are rarely helped by fertilizer application. Quite often, the reverse is true. Adding nitrogen to an already moribund system can tip the plant over the edge. I think some above, knowing of the probable species you have, are offering good advice. I'm thinking too that if you were to adequately water such a large tree, you would essentially need to be watering the whole lawn on that side of the yard or whatever. Roots spread far and wide. I don't personally see the use of the rootfeeder in such an application. And too, your water having a high salt content is very troublesome. Between the fertilizer, which is mostly salts, and that water, things may be getting out of hand on the salinity index. More likely still, the tree has come to the end of its useful lifespan.

Finally, you are anxious about losing this prominent tree. I get that, but contrary to what many folks say, young trees do grow quickly. Not only that, but it offers you a chance to try something new. And watching young trees develop is fun.

+oM
eahamel
11 years ago
It's hard to cut down a great tree. I've watched several ash trees in my neighborhood get cut down in the past few years, and it was hard to see them go, but they were dropping large limbs. I just had to have an old water oak cut down, the only tree in my front yard, and I miss it! But I already have plans for replacements, two in fact (Burr oak and Mexican live oak, both from acorns I collected), and now I can plant some shrubbery and small trees in my yard that can keep the yard interesting while these trees grow for the next generation to enjoy shade from.

Jimi, there are lots of options open to you when that tree is gone. Keep an open mind about that, and look at the future with a new appearance for your yard in mind.
strobiculate
11 years ago
First, you said it yourself. The tree is on the way out. Don't look at it as loosing a tree, look at it as an opportunity to plant a new one.

Second, re: the general concept of fertilizer and stressed trees...sources?

Very large ash tree is dying...advice?

Comments (6)

eahamel

famartin

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