HELP tree problem

Hello all...

I have what was a lovely tree in my garden that i planted about 12 years ago.

It is a blossom tree that has lovely bright green leaves.

It has always come out in thick leaves every year with rich blossom.

I recently laid a patio around the tree 4 years ago.

The tree is located in the corner of my garden.

Over the last 4 years the leaved have got smaller and smaller to where at the moment it looks in a very poor condition.

i would hate to see this tree die.

I have tried to upload some pictures but forum will not allow at present

many thanks

 

Lift some of the patio stones and replace with pebbles so some water can get down into the trees roots. It sounds like when it rains all the water is draining away from the trees roots so its dying slowly.

 

Many thanks

i have lifted about 5 slabs all around the tree and giving a VERY good drink.

When i lifted the slabs i saw the tree roots, that i know were not theair before.

People were telling me that the roots will go down and find water, but mine look as if they have come up.

many thanks for your advise

 

Tim,

90% of tree roots are found within the top metre of soil. The smaller the tree the more likely the roots are to be on the surface where the water is. The most important roots are the fibrous filament like root hairs that absorb water and nutrients from the soil. These root hairs are extremely delicate and are easily damaged by excavation and compaction - i.e laying a patio around the tree. This not only depletes the water getting to the roots, but also lessens nutrient recycling and absorption, and soil air availability. All this leads to a gradual decline in overall tree vitality, often seen in reduced leaf size, leaf cover and colour.

Remove patio, feed and water the tree well. Aerate the soil if possible as four years of patio compaction will leave it devoid of good pore space.

Hope this helps.

Matthew

 

Many Thanks..

What food would you recommend ..

Do you thinks it will come back or are we onto a loosing battle.

we have watered it like crazy over the last week.

Regards
Tim

 

I'd go with a balanced NPK (7-7-7) mix just for now. Ideally some organic feed such as rotted manure would be preferable. Don't overwater the tree either - too much water can be just as detrimental as too little.