Problem with my Golden Chain

thekid65 · 20th May 2010, 09:24 AM

Hello all. Thanks to the Admins for creating this forum, which hopefully will provide me with a little advice on whether my Golden Chain can be saved. It's really a pretty tree in the spring, so I'd like to save it. I've attached 3 pictures, 1 of the full tree, one of the problem I'm having with the main branches in the middle dying, and one of the bottom of the tree which appears to have some separate trees sprouting.

My questions are:

#1. Any thoughts on why the main section (middle) branches are dying, while the side branches appear OK? If so, what can I do to alleviate the problem?

#2. Are the separate sprouts @ the base of the tree, acting as a parasite and are robbing the tree of needed nutrients, and should I remove them?

#3. My father in law had a look at it, and while he's not an Arborist, he has a very strong background in farming. His opinion was this tree probably will die sooner, as opposed to later....but he had no advice on what, if anything we could do to try and save it.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Eric Frei · 21st May 2010, 09:45 AM

My answers in red.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekid65

My questions are:

#1. Any thoughts on why the main section (middle) branches are dying, while the side branches appear OK? If so, what can I do to alleviate the problem?

Looks like die back, either bacterial or fungal, likely from pruning cut infection or previous damage/disease. cut off dead and dying sections, go below by at least 6" with clean sterilized tools, sterilize tools after each cut with 1 part bleach and 9 parts water.

#2. Are the separate sprouts @ the base of the tree, acting as a parasite and are robbing the tree of needed nutrients, and should I remove them?

No, they are adding, foliage photosynthesizes and adds sugars for the tree. However it is indicative of further issues, loss of canopy foliage and appears to me that the tree is planted too deep and mulched up the trunk which can introduce collar rot. Pull back the mulch, carefully scrape away/ hose away soil to see trunk flare/crown flare.

#3. My father in law had a look at it, and while he's not an Arborist, he has a very strong background in farming. His opinion was this tree probably will die sooner, as opposed to later....but he had no advice on what, if anything we could do to try and save it.

The tree is in trouble. The form is poor now and the whole thing appears to be epicormic growth. Look at the colour of the branches and compare it to the other one out at the street, notice the colour difference? Often epicormics grow long, fast and have a different texture/bark. from observation and my experience I sense issues and would wonder about the viability of trying to fix this one versus buying and planting another. compare that tree to others around of about the same age, do your investigations of the root crown etc and make a decision. Poor form to start with can mean a weaker tree later.

thekid65 · 22nd May 2010, 06:52 AM

Thanks for the response, Ekka. If I were to "cut off the dying sections 6" below, it appears I'd pretty much have to de-capitate the entire tree, as if you look closely at the main area where I've already done several cuts, it's almost totally brown. In the second picture, should I just cut off that entire brown section in the middle?

I'll pull away the mulch and soil this weened, and look for the crown. What does "collar rot" look like?

We just bought this house last June, and it was an existing tree, so if it was planted poorly, at least I can't take the blame for that!

Once again, thank you for the advice.

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20th May 2010, 09:24 AM	#1
thekid65 I'm new here so be nice Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 2	Problem with my Golden Chain Hello all. Thanks to the Admins for creating this forum, which hopefully will provide me with a little advice on whether my Golden Chain can be saved. It's really a pretty tree in the spring, so I'd like to save it. I've attached 3 pictures, 1 of the full tree, one of the problem I'm having with the main branches in the middle dying, and one of the bottom of the tree which appears to have some separate trees sprouting. My questions are: #1. Any thoughts on why the main section (middle) branches are dying, while the side branches appear OK? If so, what can I do to alleviate the problem? #2. Are the separate sprouts @ the base of the tree, acting as a parasite and are robbing the tree of needed nutrients, and should I remove them? #3. My father in law had a look at it, and while he's not an Arborist, he has a very strong background in farming. His opinion was this tree probably will die sooner, as opposed to later....but he had no advice on what, if anything we could do to try and save it. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Attached Thumbnails

22nd May 2010, 06:52 AM	#3
thekid65 I'm new here so be nice Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 2	Re: Problem with my Golden Chain Thanks for the response, Ekka. If I were to "cut off the dying sections 6" below, it appears I'd pretty much have to de-capitate the entire tree, as if you look closely at the main area where I've already done several cuts, it's almost totally brown. In the second picture, should I just cut off that entire brown section in the middle? I'll pull away the mulch and soil this weened, and look for the crown. What does "collar rot" look like? We just bought this house last June, and it was an existing tree, so if it was planted poorly, at least I can't take the blame for that! Once again, thank you for the advice.