Sapling - top half dead

mgkistler · 7th May 2007, 03:24 AM

I need some advice on a tree I planted last year. It is a Swamp White Oak and I thought it had died. But now I see leaves growing on the lower part of the trunk. It looks like the upper part of the tree is dead, but not the lower. Can I salvage this tree? The tree is a sapling about 8' tall

Eric Frei · 7th May 2007, 08:29 AM

You sure should be able to salvage it.

Straight off the bat I'd say cut the dead part off.

As the tree is so small you'll most likely be cutting sapwood, so cut pretty much where ever you want, cut just on the dead side of where live tissue meets.

Ensure the tree is looked after, pics too please, love them pics.

Sean Freeman · 7th May 2007, 09:21 AM

Hi mgkistler, maybe review some possible casues for the decline in your sapling, most common cause of failure/death of young trees is planting too deep, problems with water (too little, too much compacted soils temperature extremes) poor nursery stock.
Ekka's right with very young trees it is possible to salvage them even when major problems arise.

mgkistler · 7th May 2007, 09:33 AM

Here are some pics of my tree. As you can imagine, I was uncertain about what the tree will look like without the main trunk above the new growth. Should I clip it at an angle and seal it?

Sean Freeman · 7th May 2007, 09:52 AM

The photos are good, what region of the US are you in? Quercus bicolor swamp white oak is a tough tree and well worth the effort, lovely medium sized tree when full grown. Why yours should have lost the top I don't know.

Don't rush into making drastic cuts for a while yet, although it does look like the top has gone by the shoots emerging around the stem below, there is no immediate need to cut anything. If and when you do, don't worry about any paints or sealers they do nothing to help the tree, only the companies that sell them!

Q bicolor is a fast grower in the right regional climate and soils, so it would be a toss up whether you would be better replacing the sapling or retaining it and trying to re-establish the leader to get something like the normal form in the tree when its older.

mgkistler · 7th May 2007, 11:09 AM

I'm in Michigan. The soil is good topsoil over very heavy clay. The tree looked bent from the start. It was an Arbor Day effort and the tree was not guaranteed. I can leave it for now. The reason I chose the variety was for its size and toughness.
Thanks for your help.

Sean Freeman · 7th May 2007, 11:16 AM

mgkistler, swamp white oak should do very very well in Michigan, pull that one out and try another one, as I said they're quick growing and native to your area...a good choice for a street tree (not under services!) good luck with your next one

DRANO · 7th May 2007, 12:25 PM

i would replace it,or just think of the fun you could have by cutting it above your leave shoots vand training it all over again!lol but as was said also it would not hurt to give it a season or so first to see how it makes it self feel first they are resislent little things!! DRANO good luck

Eric Frei · 7th May 2007, 01:47 PM

It's bit of a whip stick isn't it? ... but I have no experience with the species so dont take my word for it what a good looking juvenile specimen is.

Surely another to replace wouldn't be much, but some people enjoy the attachment of saving trees.

Your call.

Jeff Darby · 7th May 2007, 05:26 PM

Hi mgkistler,
All the advice above is good these men know their stuff, But there's one other thing that could also be giving your tree grief,(stress), I noticed that your grass appears to be extremely healthy..some species of grass actually inhibets growth of anything within a metre or so from the edge of the grass,although I don't think this the case with you,having said this one thing we all know how greedy (Competitive) grasses can be with the available nutrients, the bare minumum I would have a radious of about 1200mm without grass I would also aireate this with a spade being carefull of the roots as this sapling is suffering enough. Then I would mulch with a chunky mulch about 75- 100 mm deep on top of the ground leaving a radious of about 100mm from the trunk.
Hope this gives another alternitive, or perhaps it will make your new one grow strong and healthy.

All The Best
JayD

7th May 2007, 03:24 AM	#1
mgkistler Sappling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 6	Sapling - top half dead I need some advice on a tree I planted last year. It is a Swamp White Oak and I thought it had died. But now I see leaves growing on the lower part of the trunk. It looks like the upper part of the tree is dead, but not the lower. Can I salvage this tree? The tree is a sapling about 8' tall

7th May 2007, 08:29 AM	#2
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,993	You sure should be able to salvage it. Straight off the bat I'd say cut the dead part off. As the tree is so small you'll most likely be cutting sapwood, so cut pretty much where ever you want, cut just on the dead side of where live tissue meets. Ensure the tree is looked after, pics too please, love them pics. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

7th May 2007, 09:33 AM	#4
mgkistler Sappling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 6	Here are pics Here are some pics of my tree. As you can imagine, I was uncertain about what the tree will look like without the main trunk above the new growth. Should I clip it at an angle and seal it? Attached Thumbnails

7th May 2007, 11:09 AM	#6
mgkistler Sappling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 6	More Info I'm in Michigan. The soil is good topsoil over very heavy clay. The tree looked bent from the start. It was an Arbor Day effort and the tree was not guaranteed. I can leave it for now. The reason I chose the variety was for its size and toughness. Thanks for your help.

7th May 2007, 01:47 PM	#9
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,993	It's bit of a whip stick isn't it? ... but I have no experience with the species so dont take my word for it what a good looking juvenile specimen is. Surely another to replace wouldn't be much, but some people enjoy the attachment of saving trees. Your call. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

7th May 2007, 09:21 AM	#3
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Hi mgkistler, maybe review some possible casues for the decline in your sapling, most common cause of failure/death of young trees is planting too deep, problems with water (too little, too much compacted soils temperature extremes) poor nursery stock. Ekka's right with very young trees it is possible to salvage them even when major problems arise.

7th May 2007, 09:52 AM	#5
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	The photos are good, what region of the US are you in? Quercus bicolor swamp white oak is a tough tree and well worth the effort, lovely medium sized tree when full grown. Why yours should have lost the top I don't know. Don't rush into making drastic cuts for a while yet, although it does look like the top has gone by the shoots emerging around the stem below, there is no immediate need to cut anything. If and when you do, don't worry about any paints or sealers they do nothing to help the tree, only the companies that sell them! Q bicolor is a fast grower in the right regional climate and soils, so it would be a toss up whether you would be better replacing the sapling or retaining it and trying to re-establish the leader to get something like the normal form in the tree when its older.

7th May 2007, 11:16 AM	#7
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	mgkistler, swamp white oak should do very very well in Michigan, pull that one out and try another one, as I said they're quick growing and native to your area...a good choice for a street tree (not under services!) good luck with your next one

7th May 2007, 12:25 PM	#8
DRANO Sappling Join Date: May 2007 Location: VERMONT Posts: 19	i would replace it,or just think of the fun you could have by cutting it above your leave shoots vand training it all over again!lol but as was said also it would not hurt to give it a season or so first to see how it makes it self feel first they are resislent little things!! DRANO good luck

7th May 2007, 05:26 PM	#10
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,059	Hi mgkistler, All the advice above is good these men know their stuff, But there's one other thing that could also be giving your tree grief,(stress), I noticed that your grass appears to be extremely healthy..some species of grass actually inhibets growth of anything within a metre or so from the edge of the grass,although I don't think this the case with you,having said this one thing we all know how greedy (Competitive) grasses can be with the available nutrients, the bare minumum I would have a radious of about 1200mm without grass I would also aireate this with a spade being carefull of the roots as this sapling is suffering enough. Then I would mulch with a chunky mulch about 75- 100 mm deep on top of the ground leaving a radious of about 100mm from the trunk. Hope this gives another alternitive, or perhaps it will make your new one grow strong and healthy. All The Best JayD __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

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