Poinciana Bark Cracking Die back

MaccaAu

Hello All

Our Poinciana back in July 2007 suffered when we had a record -3.5c min here, rarely see 0c where we live. It came back but some branches died, and presently is the same as seen in pictures, i suspect borers maybe. I clear around the tree, and maybe caused more stress as i chipped some of the bark with the hoe.

Regards
Sam

Eric Frei

Follow instructions for sizing and loading pics to this server.

Check your welcome email and PM.

__________________

MaccaAu

sorry the double post my pictures didnt load

Eric Frei

Just keep it watered and mulched, it'll be OK.

__________________

MaccaAu

thanks Eric
It couldve had border attack hence the bark and they have been and gone, ants seem very busy in the tree. It has had long grass around it, and big mound of soil about 2metres away from the trunk ( many surface root i found in the soil mound when i cleared it away). The nearby Yellow Poinciana, has really bad dead bits also and is struggling to live. They are both close to each other.

Eric Frei

Borers will be in the deadwood.

A trees natural defence to borers is flooding them out, so plenty of sap.... means plenty of water but not water logged.

__________________

MaccaAu

The cracking is the sap? its not like the really sticky sap i have noticed on our gum trees. I shall give it water. I better not use the grey water ( maybe too many nutrients), and let the dead bits drop off by themselves and promptly remove/burn them. I will keep the long grass and weeds away from it.

From the soil mound i was feeding the kookaburra, as there was all sorts of bugs - some looked like larve grubs with pincers

Gumnut

Necrotic lesions like these are quite common on Delonix, the tree appears vigorous in picture, as the tree appears to be developing good wound wood (to occlude the wounds); apply good quality forest mulch, be careful not to put it against the trunk or root buttress, some regular seaweed solution and she should be ok