Help me save my Liquidambers

gardenerG

G'Day,

I have two Liquidamber trees which are about 40 years old. They are around 7m high and appear to be dying at the tops. I think they are Liquidambar Styraciflua which I understand is the most common species grown in Australia.

I live in the cool highlands of NSW around Canberra and we have just ended a ten year drought like many other parts of Australia. We tried to keep watering these trees throughout the drought, even using shower water when water restrictions prevented us using tap water but both trees seem to be dying as the top.

Water restrictions have now eased so we can water properly. I have recently dug holes using a crow bar around the base of the trees to try to get water to the roots. I've also given several cans full of Seasol solution to try to help.

I have just started sawing off dead branches at the top before they fall on nearby power lines and people walking past.

Am I doing the right thing with these trees? Does anyone have any suggestions as to what else I can try.

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Eric Frei

What is above stems from below .... basal pics please.

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gardenerG

G'Day again,

Thanks for your very prompt reply. The new photos show the bases of both trees. As you can see there are no suckers.

There are a few shrubs planted around the bases of both trees. I wondered if these shrubs could be taking too much water and nutrient from the trees but they have been there for over 10 years and the Liquidambers have only had problems for the past 3 years or so.

Apart from the dieback at the tops, both trees appear to be healthy and growing new branches and leaves each year.

The root systems of the Liquidambers seems to be extensive and invasive. One of the roots of one tree was severed about 5 years ago when I found it trying to burrow under the footings of the house.

Hope this helps

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derwoodii

I canna quite tell could be many things may be best to get a local qualified tree bloke in. It seem to me one has been mistreated and is not true to form as many limbs arise from the basel trunk like it been lopped or pollarded. It could be bugs critters chewin under the bark thats cause of the top limb die off but still unsure when you water with grey water was it plant friendly detergent.
Mulch water slow up on the fertiliser till you know whats the cause and get a local good tree bloke climb and inspect upper canopy to advsie you.

Eric Frei

I suspect grade change, looks like soil level has risen.

Top dieback like that is usually signs of root stress.

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gardenerG

G'day,

Thanks very much to you both for this sound advice. Cant afford a arborist so trying to research and fix the problem myself - that way I gain knowledge and experience also.

The shower water poured on the Liquidambers would only have contained small amounts of pure soap - nothing nasty.

The grade of the soil has not changed for at least 20 years. If anything, the heavy rain we have had recently may have washed a bit of soil away.

I am willing to believe that the problem is root stress but not sure what's causing it. I'm not sure whether the roots are shallow or deep with this tree - does anyone know this??

I suspect that as the surrounding garden has grown the trees are simply not getting enough water so I'm just finishing putting in a dripper system to the area surrounding the bases of both trees. Hopefully this may fix the problem unless we get hit with more water restrictions.

Once again thanks for your very good advice and I'll welcome anyone else who can help!

Paul Toivonen

You should be able to see the roots of a Liquidambar if the tree has any age to it.
That means they are very sensitive to soil moisture and compaction.
Quite a common problem you report.
Really, you should take out anything else competing with them around the drip radius.
If you get stuck or need a hand PM me.