It's typical for the back sides of conifers planted near walls to go bald.

==>>> but not in one year ... you said its one year old.. right???

was it ball and burlap??? .... i am thinking severe root damage when a very large plant was dug for sale ....

it also looks like there were two leaders.. and one was cut out ... which is fine ... but not great ... can you find a large wound down there where half the tree may have been cut out ...

do you still have a warranty??

ken

Sadly, I have no warranty and I was not present when they installed it but I *think* it was ball and burlap. There are no obvious wounds where a leader was removed. It looks like it just grew kind of crooked and the thinning/dying sections are making it much more obvious. I dug down a little around the trunk (I didn't want to go too deep and potentially make things worse) and the root ball I can see looks like normal earth (not dust or mud). It was only installed one year ago. Not sure how old the actual plant is. I suspect you're right, ken_adrian, that they must have damaged the roots when they dug it up for sale. Embotrium, I have heard that trees are happier when they aren't mulched around the base - you would recommend adding mulch? Any particular type/depth of mulch?

Is there anything else I can do besides cross my fingers and hope it recovers?

I appreciate your responses and help!

. Not sure how old the actual plant is.

==>> on rereading is noted i wasnt clear.. dont really care how old it is ...

what i meant was... it was only one year after planting .... one might say.. its NOT fully established yet...

ken

I'm thinking a watering issue. Slopes away from the house, no mulch. I'd wager the side near the house is bone dry. I would not depend on automatic irrigation. Check the rootball as Embothrium (really Ron, bboy was so much easier) suggested and if dry use a hose at a very slow trickle all around the plant until it is soaked a foot or so down.

tj

Trees are always happier when mulched. It holds moisture in the soil, moderates soil temps and keeps the weeds down. As it degrades and breaks down, it also adds nutrients back to the soil. Just don't pile it on too thickly and keep a proper distance (3-6") away from the actual trunk.

Thanks tsugajunkie. It does seem much dryer on the back between the plant and the house than in the front. I'll give it some more water and increase the amount it gets from the drip irrigation.

Thanks gardengal48. Any recommendation about which type of mulch is best?

Whatever is common and inexpensive in your area - shredded bark, wood chips, pine straw.

Thanks gardengal48.