Vasso
The pests you mentioned are what we call secondary predators taking advantage of a declining tree.
For instance, a vigourous healthy tree defends borers by flooding them out with sap, in effect drowning them.
So, what we know is the tree's not healthy, if new growth is wilting off perhaps no water or a damaged root system etc.
Hard to tell exactly, can you get some pictures.
The root system of a tree extends well beyond the drip line, roots go out more so than go down. So take a look at what's around this tree, lawn, building, new driveway or structure etc?
Also, by using the process of elimination the same as when a mechanic looks at your car when it wont start lets look at a few basics.
1/ Soil PH, test the soil PH in various locations around the tree, this is cheap and easy to do.
2/ Around the base fo the tree carefully (with hand trowel and hose) remove soil etc to see the root crown and trunk flare ... pull back maybe 2' all around and look for decay, fungal fruiting bodies etc.
3/ A drainage test, dig a few small holes around the tree, maybe only 6" deep and only as big as a bean can etc. Fill the hole with around 250ml of water and time how fast it disappears ... in a heavy clay it will take ages in a sandy soil it'll be gone as soon as you pour it.
So, let us know what the results are. But from experience I can comfortably say that most of the time it comes down to topographical factors so mulch, soil treatment and water usually solve the problem.
What has the weather and rainfall been like compared to usual and by the way ... how big is this tree, dia, height and spread? |