Help with Camphor Tree problem

darryl

I have 2 Camphor trees planted in front of my home 2 years ago by a landscape contractor. While one is doing well, the second is not; It has pale green leaves, thinning, browning at leaf edges. The tree is planted in a large masonry planter that was back filled with clay soil. I live in Seal Beach, Southern California about one mile from the ocean. Our soil is mostly clay. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Darryl

newguy18

Could be alot of things,could be over/underwatering.You said your about a mile from the ocean,could be alot of salt in the soil,could also be overfertilizing.Pics will help.

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Eric Frei

Usually tough as nails those trees.

It is Cinnamomum camphora right?

My gut feeling says planted too deep or filled up around trunk and in a water bog.

Make a small hole and check out how wet the soil is, dry , damp or wet. Check the drainage then by putting some water into the hole, maybe say 500ml and see how long it takes to disappear.

Some pics would be good too.

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darryl

Thanks for the help. I will upload some photos tomorrow.

darryl

Thanks for helping. I will post photos tomorrow.

darryl

Photos of my tree are attached. Thanks, Darryl

Attached Images

	tree1.BMP (47.4 KB, 139 views)
	tree2.BMP (39.0 KB, 54 views)
	tree3.BMP (137.4 KB, 56 views)
	tree4.BMP (154.0 KB, 101 views)

James Taylor

Personally i would remove both the trees and replace them with a smaller more suitable species of tree or shrub. Camphor laurels grow to be 20-30m high and are extremely vigorous, certainly not suitable for small planter box's next to your house.

I don't know what the situation is in California but here in Australia they are classed as Noxious weeds , and are a real problem in bushland, there seed is eaten by many birds and animals which then spread the seed in there droppings.

here is a link to a web site i just recently came across it's pretty full on but much of what it says may be useful. Camphor Laurel Menace

James Taylor

oh i would replace the clay soil in the planters and replace it with a better soil, something that will drain better say a sandy loam. clay soils can get waterlogged and is not the best growing medium. Do you have any drainage in those planters?

darryl

Drainage in the planter is probably not good and clay soil is also a problem. I will think about replacing the trees. Thanks

kieren

Clay soil and sandy loam is a bad choice for planter boxes. As they are an artificial environment, they need a blended mix of organic mater (like potting mix) remove the trees before they take over your house.

pcarborist

Because their located in the high maintenance zone of your home i.e. front yard and close to the house, their growth could be controlled by a regular pruning regimen. I would prune them regularly, add some soil amendment as someone else stated and keep them, maybe add some color (flowers).

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James Taylor

Why try to force a square peg into a round hole? just use a round peg!