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Are my trees dying?

Jessica Rodriguez

2 years ago

I have purple pony flowering plum trees, newly planted. They have lost alot of leaves, but still have some hanging on. I don't see them getting any better. We have had some pretty windy days. But I am worried that maybe they will not make it and die. I live in zone 9

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Comments (5)

User
2 years ago
Can you post a picture or two? Close up of the base and one of whole tree?

How was it planted? Bought from a nursery? Did they plant it?
Jessica Rodriguez
Original Author
2 years ago
Related Discussions
Why is my tree dying? pictures attached
Q
Comments (3)
"Very simply, the tree in the picture is planted too deeply." I REALLY doubt the problem has anything to do with being planted too deeply. It's possible, but so is "Reason Number 67: Your neighbor put a curse on the tree". This off-the-cuff diagnosis is certainly not backed up by ANY pertinent facts. One possibility, though only one of many, is Botryosphaeria canker. This problem has been reported in your area and symptoms look similar to what I can see in the pictures you've provided. I would contact your local extension office and they should be very familiar with the issue! More information / better pictures / first hand inspection may be necessary for proper diagnosis.
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Is my tree dying?
Q
Comments (3)
Hopefully, it just went dormant and will come back. You can do a scratch test, or cut off a small branch in the "dead" area. Any green under the bark? If yes, it is dormant. If not, it is dead. You can keep progressively keep cutting back until you reach green wood to locate the source of the problem. My guess would be the Y split allows water to get into the V crotch and rot the tree or borers. Or that side has split separating from the other half and is dangerously just hanging on. One side has been girdled and has died. The other will likely die too or look like hell the rest of its life. BUT, looking at your setup it is hard to identify a water source that would do this. Your yard looks mesquite friendly unless a sprinkler is periodically hitting the tree. It does look like inappropriate pruning down below may have opened the upper trunk/main branches to too much sun and lion's tailing to stress it in the wind. Otherwise it is a fine looking tree. Here is a link that might be useful: Mesquite and Palo Verde Trees for the Urban Landscape
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Is my tree dying?
Q
Comments (5)
To answer a few comments and add specifics: I am not sure if it is too deep. I know the root ball was left exposed at the top with a shallow trench dug around it when planted. We added the mulch later. The tree was only $100 or so. Not a big deal and wasn't worth the huge water use fine that would cost way more than that to replace it. We are financially able to replace the tree without it being a burden. I was just curious if I can do anything to help the tree at this point. I would prefer no tree in my yard but it is required by our HOA. The bark is not peeling on the other side of the trunk. I have not considered seeking a replacement bc I was given specific instructions on how to care for the tree and did not follow those directions due to the drought. This is not the sellers fault. I take full responsibility and am not interested in pursuing that option. Like I said, the cost of the tree is not a big deal to us. Just looking for advice on what I could be doing to help care for the tree at this point. I live in Alabama. The drought lasted 61 days and occurred last fall from Sept to Nov (longest on record). We usually get plenty of rain here and the summers get very hot. Cool weather doesn't begin until late November (which in this case is around the time the drought ended) Thank you for all the comments so far!
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Is my tree dying?
Q
Comments (6)
That looks like cankers to me...should see discoloration and/or sap exuding from base of the branches. Clip out the dead branches close to the trunk, and disinfect your clippers to prevent the spread of the fungus. There isn't much else to do. Water in times of drought and maybe fertilize to keep it healthy. The healthier it is, the more likely it will have fewer issues in the future. Or...the way the branches are splayed looks like they could be broken. Have any tree climbers or rough housers in your yard lately? Get up in there and check it out.
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Jessica Rodriguez
Original Author
2 years ago
These are the pics I have now, I will take better ones tomorrow. Trees were bought from a nursery. And planted by myself and husband. We added amended soil to our native soil. Since our soil has not been worked on and is clay like. And also added Biotone fertilizer. I contacted the nursery, and they suggested it might be water issue, or temperature or wind issue. I do have to say we have had some very windy days. They suggested us to go to the nursery and show pictures and speak with them there. However. It's a bit far from us so we don't want to drive if it can be done by email.
User
2 years ago
Can you give us a general location? Closest big city name is fine.

Strong winds can tatter leaves leaving then looking untidy and it will take a while for the tree to establish its roots before any new top growth will occur.

It would be best to work with your seller, by email if you can bc many of them will stand behind what they sell if it's something that wasn't your fault.

Here's a link to planting a tree or shrub you can look through.

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

I think the tree will be fine unless you have incessant, daily high winds in your area. If you do, you may have to find a way to protect the tree until it acclimates to it's new surroundings.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years ago
the soil i see in the pix is bone dry ...

did you water deeply enough to moisten the entire root mass planted?? .. and some of the surrounding soil??

ken

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