Very sick and Dying Shade tree. Please Help

mpgasque

Dear Friends,
I have three beautiful shade trees of the same type (I don't know exactly what they are) and one of them has become very sick. I have attached photos that show a mid shot of the tree, and a real close up of the leaves showing the terrible condition of the tree leaves. In short, the leave ends are brown and curling up. The condition seemed to start at the top and has worked it's way down the tree. The other two trees are within 25 ft of the sick tree and seem to be fine. The trees are in Charlotte, NC and we had a very wet and somewhat cool summer so far.
I would do anything possible to save this tree if it's not to late. If you have any ideas, I would appreciate any suggestions very much. Thanks for your time.

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kiwi_tree_steve

Fagus sylvatica european beech, maby kinda a longshot guess, some better pics might help.

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"You have to feel and touch a tree" Shigo

mpgasque

Thanks for the reply. I'll get some better photos of the trunk and the leaves tomorrow and post them. Thanks again.

Garry Brockley

Steve im not sure thats a fagus sylvatica, the leaves seem to have too many fissures on the edges and it has a very upright growth form rather than attempting to go horizontal. but i could well be wrong

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Eric Frei

Why is it that everyone omits the business end of the tree when seeking diagnosis? It's like that end doesn't do anything or something.

For a tree to look like that I assure you it's the other end of the tree we need to see.

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Sean Freeman

This question represents perhaps the single most significant failing that a great many of us have...I KNOW I used to be very guilty of this....we focus so strongly on the above ground parts of the tree we neglect, forget, downplay and generally understate the importance of the soil and roots.

TrevMcRev

Spot on ekka

Car in photo suggests a driveway is close...

mpgasque

You make some very good points and they are all well taken. I have attached a photo of the lower trunk. However, as I looked at the trunk very closely, I couldn't see any difference between it and the healthy tree. Of course, I don't really know what I'm looking for. Also, I've attached a close up photo of a leaf from one of the healthy trees (only about 20 feet away, on the other side of the driveway) next to a leaf from the sick tree that shows its brown curling edges. All the sick leaves look like this.

In Charlotte we have a clay type of soil and I have had to deal with fungus on my lawn (using a Scotts product) because it's been a wet summer so far. Also, there is a storm drain on the curb by my driveway. I'm happy to take any number of pictures, and dig up the soil a bit around the tree if anyone thinks it would help. Thanks again.

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Garry Brockley

Ok why is the grass dead around the tree? what is the white powdery substance on the leaves on the ground. i have seen that effect happen when useing a broadcast spreader, the fertiliser hits a tree from many angles and builds up around the base but ive never seen it affect the tree like that.
Could you pull back a bit and take a landscape pic of the base and surrounding area please.

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Eric Frei

It's buried!

You need to do a root collar investigation plus pH tests.

Have a read of this thread and it will give you an idea of how little things make a big difference.

Juvenile poinciana problems - case study

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Victor Lindsay

I see no root flare! How long has it been there? A tree planted too deep will last 5-10 years.

Victor Lindsay

After reading more of the post I see you have a lawn around the trees. Do you use scotts weed and feed? This could be herbicide.

mpgasque

Dear Friends;
Thanks so much for all you input. Since this is a critical situation, I have also asked a local arborist to evaluate the tree. He hasn't seen it yet but upon reviewing the photos he suggested some things that you guys also mentioned. In particular, the root collar needs to be quickly investigated. You were right, the leaves were only a symptom of a serious problem in the root system. These trees were planted by the developer of our community and they were planted about 11 years ago. In researching root collar disorders, I realize I need to remove all mulch and dirt from around the trunk base down to the flair. This might not save the tree, but I'll do it to all three trees and hope for the best. Also, maybe some fertilizer spikes at the edge of the trees drip line might help. I'll post again when I find out more. Thanks again

Eric Frei

Back off on the fertilizer.

Increase the absorbing roots uptake by applying Mychorizal fungi, also apply soil conditioners but not fertilizers. We have an excellent seaweed extract product here called seasol, anything like that would be good.

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kiwi_tree_steve

ok then, new guess on id, Could it be, Carpinus betulus Hornbeam.

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"You have to feel and touch a tree" Shigo

Gismo

The image at the base of the tree shows a path or driveway, how long has that been in?
Root severance is an entry point for pathogens; we see many trees succumb to vascular disease when people put in new driveways or paths etc.
The lower trunk looks really crook appearing as if the bark spitting, this an initial sign of vascular blockage which erupts, although l can’t see any discharge.
Need to see a close up the bark splitting.