Whats wrong with my tree?

Mickyj

Hello,

I have a tree in my yard which is looking poorly. I think it might be Acer Negundo Box Elder though can't be sure. It is loosing leaves like in autumn though its summer (7th January). We are located in lower Blue Mountains west of Sydney Australia. Altitude 270m) There are almost no leave on upper branches and most leaves are yellowing. Is loosing leaves big time. Is it dying of old age? pics attached.

Many thanks

Mickyj

Attached Thumbnails

     

Brent Ferris

The leaves certainly look like Acer Negundo, but the bark -- not so sure. The tree is quite drought tolerant, and tolerates many conditions, and it is certainly not large enough or old enough to be dying of old age.,

But it looks like a clothesline is tied around the tree trunk - big problem for any tree, trying to get water up to the crown whilst being strangled. Some manage better than others,

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If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
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Mickyj

HI thanks for your comments. We have had heaps of rain here over the last 12 months so not drought. No, there is no clothesline around it or any other constriction.

Cheers

Mickyj

Brent Ferris

Maybe some closeup photos near the tree's base and the trunk of the tree might help

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Mickyj

hi Brent thanks try these. value your thoughts.

Mickyj

Attached Thumbnails

   

Eric Frei

First pic, there's something going on there, looks like bad girdling root.

Root crown investigation required, trace out the trunk flare.

Unhealthy melaleuca leucadendra (broad leaf paperbark)

Another (potential) girdling root problem????

Stem Girdling by roots...or not?

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Mickyj

thanks Eric. Would it help if I cut off the dead branches and genrally pruned the tree back ?

Brent Ferris

Pruning out deadwood and a general trim will make you feel good, but won't make any difference to root strangulation, or tree health.,

Imagine your spouse cooking you a dinner with everything you like, and you can't wait to bite into it. There's only one problem, you can't swallow. So with all the food and water you could possibly want, your body just wastes away -- because you can't swallow. So amputating away all those wasted parts makes others feel good, but does nothing for you.

Most root strangulation problems can be reversed. It is a tedious job, and depending how it is done, and how bad the problem, and what the soil is like - can take several days. So, the solution isn't cheap -- but then neither is a replacement tree the same size.

Essentially, the root base must be dug all around -- carefully -- so as not to destroy existing roots, find out which roots are causing the issues, remove them, and fill the hole back in. I usually excavate out 1 1/2 to 2 feet from the trunk to be sure of adequate working room. Tough when you're right near a fence. lol.
Here in Toronto, there are usually two layers of lateral roots, and I generally dig below that to ensure there is no other problem. Most of our soil is clay, so the job is difficult, very time consuming, and with most of our yards not being accessible to any machinery -- all work is done by hand. I generally sit like a pretzel for 2-3 hours, and a half hour break and see if I can walk. After 4 to 5 of those sessions, that is a day's work for me. And a decent size tree often takes 2-4 days. Of all the jobs I tackle, this is a job none of my guys are interested in helping me with.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Mickyj

Thanks Brent. Sounds like a hole bunch of fun.

Brent Ferris

Pun intended, right?

You may be able to find someone to do it for you. Myself, I offer the job the job at about half price if the owner does the digging -- but I have only ever had one client follow thru on the offer. lol

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Mickyj

Yeah, cheers mate - anyway I've solved the problem permanently.

All the best

Mickyj