Tuliptree - no flair near base, dying

R.Boreal

Paid for 2 applications of Arborkelp a year ago, one in fall, one in spring. Did nothing. This poor bugger is on its way out. Had 25% or less foliage than other similar sized tulipifera this year. Consulting arborist told me since it shows no sign of widening at it base, it could be a constriction issue. The house was built 25 yrs ago, it wasn't that. Maybe it's natural soil compaction - the dirt is rock hard up where this tree is, nothing but roots and rocks.

Too late for this one, I think. Funny, just shot pictures of healthy Tuliptrees all over that have bare spots on the bottom, where the bark is missing. And this one has picture-perfect bark all the way down, and it's the sorriest one of the lot!

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Eric Frei

Looks buried, could be a girdling root etc.

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Brent Ferris

I agree with Eric -- looks like grade was raised AND root strangulation issues. On the right side of the pic, the trunk is concave and that speaks of root strangulation. Can be corrected -- just a lot of tedious work. Dig out about 24 inches, and down to root structure plus 16 inches, exposing the root system -- cut off the roots growing over and or under the main feeder roots, and then fill in. NO shovels or axes - this is trowel work. If the roots don't start for x inches, will need to aerate the soil into the root zone.
If the crown looked better - it would be more than worthwhile doing; yours is a bit iffy. If the tree is in a high value location, start immediately to save it; if not, enjoy it, it will be dead soon.

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