It's already cross-posted. Instead of adding to this thread, please return to the original thread (linked below): Central Florida Trees Dying? Here is a link that might be useful: Central Florida Trees Dying

I agree I can't understand why malls etc pay for trees, and then ignore them. Many moons ago, when young, my hubby did landscaping for GE and Samsonite, and his estimate included care (to get them going well) and if they died, replacement, so he took a lot of care getting them going. But then, maybe thats good ol American pride in a job, which seems to be sorely lacking these days. In all fields. I have to say that at least, there is an attempt to have trees and plantings, which is a step in the right direction. We all talk about "going green" and all the possibilities. I've talked til I am blue in the face about one plan. That if there was a "law" that every acre of land MUST have "X" number of live trees on it, one way or another, groupings, fence lines whatever, maybe we can make a difference. I think it would make a HUGE impact. The forest service already gives away free trees. So no one can say they "can't afford one." But as a landowner, you are responsible for its care. You can "own" the plot of earth, but apparently care of it needs to be legislated... Oh yeah... I forgot... Legislating the pollution of a plot of earth didn't work, why would just caring for a tree??? Sigh. Maybe the trees WOULD be cared for, if they hid where the dumping was going on! :0 I don't know why these companies haven't thought of going underground? Wouldn't that be cheaper for climate control? When you are in a mall, you don't know whats outside. Then they could build a gorgeous park on top... Draw people who then might decide to go in and buy something. And now I am shutting up before I write an epistle. Poor trees. Wish I could water them all.... A forest lover...

I've been seeing tree's die now for about 3 years or so. At first I thought it was just natural selection but then I noticed younger tree's dying. I lost 2 tree's on my property that were young, a plum tree and a Norway maple. There have been about 6 tree's that have died that I can see from my front step and well over a dozen in my neighborhood. Countless tree's are thinning and have dead limbs. I think we have a big problem on our hands. I wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with pollution. I think the tree's used to be able to cover for each other but because we keep cutting them down, in large tract's of land, it makes for less tree's to do the same work. (Cleaning the air) It also could be because we don't get as much snow as before. Winter is our wettest season and snow is a big reason why. Here in S.Jersey we haven't had the snow for a couple of years now. I can't remember as a kid not having snow, now it's the norm. Can we fix it? Who know's. I'm going to plant about 6 or more tree's this year, most will be local varieties. Here's something to read: http://dieoff.org/page47.htm

It would be a good idea to excavate to find the drip lines. They should be moved out to the edge of the branches anyway and fall/winter is a good time to do this. Your tree could also have been planted too deeply. The zone of tissue where the trunk flares and turns into roots MUST remain exposed to air. If not the tree/shrub can suffocate. This is a common cause of tree failure and I have seen trees planted as much as 12 inches too deep. It's a death sentence that can take several years to affect the tree. I would gently remove soil from the base of the tree near the trunk (getting rid of that plastic ring too) and see if this is the case. If so leave the soil pulled back about 12 inches from the trunk, but allowing the roots near the trunk to be barely covered with soil. Your tree may recover but it could take until next spring. Here's a link with more information. http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/root-ball-dimensions.shtml