RE: loropetalum very sick: tree base pic

casey8b_savannah

16 years ago

Here's the close up of the base rhizo_1. Look ok to you??

Casey

Image link:

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

User
16 years ago
I'm giving this problem a bump.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
16 years ago
Casey, the base of your tree does look kinda chewed up but I'm afraid that I can't really determine what the problem might be. I tend to think that the combination of the additional soil, construction activity, etc. may have ALL contributed to the downfall of your loropetalum. Add the temperatures at that time of year and you've got some major stress for any plant.

Many people don't realize that it can take months and even years for a once healthy tree to show major signs of distress after a traumatic event. 'Suddenly', the plant begins to suffer, when in reality the problems may have begin a loooong time ago.

I see this on construction sites all the time: homeowners are so happy with their treed building site, only to have those lovely trees die one after the other in a couple of years. By then, the culprit (the builder) never gets the blame.

Not much help, I know. One good thing: should this tree need to be removed, loropetalum grow very rapidly! You should replace it right away.
Related Discussions
if you're not sick of the FB topic, I could use a hand...
Q
Comments (7)
Sorry to see that. Some good news is I think you are overly concerned about how much you cut back. On those small shoots just rip the shoot out and you should be good. I have done that to thousands of small shoots like that and I never saw it spread. If I didn't have my pruners handy I literally ripped them out at the base. Part of the key is to do it fast - check every day and get them out the instant you see wilting. When I was having a lot of blight I could detect it before the browning started. One more thing, look carefully at all the larger limbs for blackened spots with cracked bark. Those are the more worrying strikes that you may need to do major surgery on (or at least paint over). Scott This post was edited by scottfsmith on Wed, Jun 25, 14 at 9:48
...See More
Help! - sick maple tree
Q
Comments (8)
this would only be a guess pure and simple but my 'guess' is #1 that gash is pretty severe and maybe something got into the tree or the bark had unattached all the way around the teee or enough to actually cause it to start dying...if so there is little you can do ...it is a big gash and it has not seemed to be healing after two years .....I had one split from the cold about that big but has gradually regrown over it from what was left on either side til now it's almost covered again ...yours looks like its just hanging there...#2 some chemical damage either from drifting spray( if you live mear a farmer using roundup it could happen or the roots getting into a septic with some weird chemicalds in it ...that would be best case senerio since it may survive...if it doesnt stress out to much with heat or cold this next year ...As i said just a guess someone may have a better idea ...it does look chemical to me ...but that is one h-ll of a gash!!! David
...See More
loropetalum very sick
Q
Comments (3)
Thank you both so much for replying. I've just added another photo of the whole tree and surrounding area to a separate post (see "loropetalum very sick:another picture"). I also added there that it is situated in a low area of the yard. Plus when the sod went in late last year it formed a 'depression' around the tree base and rainwater runoff certainly collected in it, to the depth of 2-3 inches. (Soil drains pretty slow here.) We've added more dirt around the base to mound it up so water no longer collects there...this was about 3 weeks ago. I will check with TruGreen on the herbicide issue, but would not be surprised if it is due to excess water. So IF it is water related what can we do??? thank you once again. Casey
...See More
Help Needed, Mallika mango tree looks sick - pic
Q
Comments (8)
NOT positive but its possible you have some root rot going on? That happened to one of my potted mango tree and the leaves looks very similar to yours...very droopy. Ironically, by the looks of the tree you would think its suffering from lack of water but in actuality its from soil that is staying way too wet towards the bottom of the pot (perched water) and the roots on mine were rotting. Your potting mix looks VERY water retentive to me...they prefer mix that fast draining, keeping the soil moist not "wet". Is there a way you can very gently remove the plant being very careful with the roots and check to see if the bottom of the pot is very wet? You can also insert a thin (wood dowel) sharpened at one end...insert it all the way down towards the bottom of the pot and see how wet it is. This is just a guess since its hard to diagnose from a picture...Best of luck! Nancy
...See More
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
i see two options.. but no experience with this plant .. but that never stopped me .... lol

i would favor removal and replanting of fresh young stock ... within 2 or 3 years.. you will be so pleased ... especially if the plant is in a focal part of the yard ....

in the alternative... with 5 major branches ... i would immediately .. or at the otherwise appropriate time .... remove two or three of the trunks as close to ground as possible ... next spring.. you will probably get explosive growth from those stubs [because we have reduced the canopy without disturbing the roots] .. and i would prune down to one or two new shoots .... then next fall.. presuming the regeneration is moving along nicely ... i would remove the other old trunks... regenerating the whole bush ....

in shrub maintenance... this should PROBABLY more properly be done over a 3 year period .... but sometimes.. we just want results faster ...

the worst that can happen .. is we kill it and end up replacing it .... which is what i preferred to do in the first place ...

sometimes... plants just become over-mature ... and need to go ... do not concern yourself with feeling bad about such .. especially since you plan on replacing it ...

good luck
ken

Related Stories

DESIGN DETAILS Design Workshop: The Modern Wall Base, 4 Ways

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Do you really need baseboards? Contemporary design provides minimalist alternatives to the common intersection of floor and wall

Full Story

LIFE When You're Suddenly Solo at Home

By Houzz

Whether you stay in a home alone or move on, these strategies from professional organizers can help you with the process

Full Story

By Alison Hodgson

Documenting your home items is essential, even if disaster seems unimaginable. And it may be easier than you think

Full Story

181

REMODELING GUIDES Love the One You're With: Honoring a Home's Original Charm

By Sarah Phipps Design

Before you jump into teardown mode, consider these 3 examples of homes whose quirkiness is a draw

Full Story

REMODELING GUIDES 10 Signs You’re in the Middle of a Renovation

By Jo Simmons

A renovation project allows you to choose every last detail for your home, but decision making can quickly go from ‘Ooooh’ to ‘Argh!’

Full Story

CHRISTMAS Real vs. Fake: How to Choose the Right Christmas Tree

By Houzz

Pitting flexibility and ease against cost and the environment can leave anyone flummoxed. This Christmas tree breakdown can help

Full Story

HOLIDAYS Christmas Tree Decorating the Painless Way

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Holidays are for carols, not cussing. Make tree trimming less work and more fun with this guide at your side

Full Story

127

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Add an Apple Tree to Your Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Readily available, beautiful and fragrant, apple trees offer four-season interest along with crisp, juicy fruit

Full Story

FALL GARDENING 11 Trees for Brilliant Fall Color

By Marianne Lipanovich

Give your landscape the quintessential look of autumn with the red, orange and yellow leaves of these standouts

Full Story

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Cool Alternatives to Christmas Tree Skirts

By Elaina Verhoff

Give your tree a fashionable new outfit for Christmas this year with one of these collars, cuffs, baskets or buckets

Full Story

RE: loropetalum very sick: tree base pic

Comments (3)

User

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

Related Discussions

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US