Help! Is my tree dying?

Question

Ok, we recently put another layer of landscape fabric and rocks over the old and existing fabric and rocks around the tree and up to the tree trunk. We did that 2 months ago and it was fine. We haven't had much rain and now I notice that it's fall outside! At first I thought it was just the lack of rain, but my neighbor across the street has the same type of tree and his is not like mine. The leaves are turning yellow and falling off everyday. I am so worried because it's a beautiful, large tree that if dead it would cost a lot of money to remove and make our yard look dead.

Please help! Do you think it's because of our extra layer of rocks and fabric that's killing it? Yikes!

Here are some pictures of my tree and what I've done:

http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=treeen5.jpg

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/8253/treeen5.th.jpg

Of course these are pictures of before all the leaves started turning yellow and falling off. :(

It is currently summer and I live in Minnesota. Leaves don't fall off like this until October.

Answer 1

I don't think the fabric and rock are wholly to blame, if at all. Think about all the roots that were disturbed and covered when your house and driveway were built, it appears about 3/4 were. Were the roots compromised like this on your neighbors tree? Are both trees losing leaves or only the one closer to the house. The reason I ask, is there seems to be damage to the bark and this may have allowed disease to enter that is killing that tree or both if they are in fact one tree with one root system. In the picture it appears the tree closer to the house is already going yellow ahead of the other, this would make sense as more of it's roots were cut for the house foundation or covered by the drive. If it was me, I would remove the tree closer to the house (before it falls) and do some moderate pruning of the other. This should give the remaining tree more water and resources until it can recover. RScott

Answer 2

Yes, you are killing this tree. The tree is not only being deprived of water, it is suffocating under this plastic nightmare. Please remove both layers of rocks and fabric as soon as possible. Rock mulch is not an appropriate mulch under any plant. The rock mulch soaks up the sun and cooks any plant growing in or underneath it. The plastic compounds on this by not allowing any moisture or air to soak in. Plants need both to survive.

People, save your self the money and time. You do not need the plastic or garden mesh underneath a sufficient layer of pine bark, cypress or hardwood mulch. A 2-3 inch layer will be enough, that any weed that tries to grow in it, will be so "leggy" that they are easily removed. When using wood mulch, you will need to amend it from time to time. If you notice more weeds, you might want to add more mulch.

Whatever you do, rip out the plastic and rock now! After you have done that, you may want to have your soil tested to determine what your pH is. Please consult with your local extension office on what amendments you might need to either bring it up or lower it to best suit the plants growing in your yard. Depending on how high or low, you may need to add lime or sulphar to your soil to get the proper pH for your yard, but have your soil tested first. then get the locals to help you out. The people at the extension office should be familiar with the soils in your area, and have excellent advice on what to do.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Take away all artificial cover..the tree is suffering from compaction...no oxygen exchange and little penetrable water..Water 4-6 hours around the root-zone,say Tuesdays and Fridays..DO NOT fertilise..the tree has 2 competing leaders which also indicates a weak crotch..Beware of this ,it could easily end up in your living room..the one on the left. It looks to these eyes like a Chinese Honey Locust..Robinia pseudoacacia..a hungry root system also .Try this..this will vastly help..But for safety's sake I would seek out the opinion of a qualified tree surgeon..just a consult.Good Luck.

Answer 4

It's fine . A tree that size is unlkely to die of drought , in just one year . It's dropping th leaves it can't support . Happening to lot of things right now . If you want to water it, put the hose on it ,with about a 1/2 pencil-width stream coming out. Leave it on at least overnight . Do this again in a wk- 10 days .

Answer 5

I see there are two good answers that I agree with...so I won't add more, just agree that you NEVER put fabric and/or rocks around the base of a tree. It will kill it.
Remove all that stuff and put a groundcover like creeping myrtle if the roots near the surface are unsightly.

Answer 6

Ur tree is just fine to me. I think u done a good job in front yard and it is better if u don't worry about it. What I say is that if is winter over there then the tree is normal if the leaves get yellow and it will be green when is spring again. If Ur not sure about the tree and u worry about it then talk to Ur friends and they will tell u what u could do with it.

Answer 7

hp caught the to, too. ha ha This reminded me of that old, iconic Peter, Paul & Mary song - it's message still as vibrant and true today as when it was first spun on vinyl. It also reminded me of the old saying, "You can count the apples on a single tree but only God knows how many trees are in a single apple." You are on a poetic roll, my Friend! I think I'll be offering a challenge soon so you can find another new one! Save it first, though; my challeges keep getting deleted. (?)

Answer 8

Your tree needs IRON. You can purchase a bag for plants at any Wal-mart. I use it on my customers houses. The yellow is a sign for lack of iron in plants. Get help now. keep it watered

Answer 9

your birch? tree may be suffocating under the fabric. surface roots need oxygen. in your picture surface roots are visible. solution=remove rocks + fabric,enlarge bed=extend out into yard where surface roots are, spread rocks,water deeply

Answer 10

the limbs are "sick" and should be removed but it is not dieing until the leaves start to fall off like in the summer and and if you break a baby limb off and it is still green in the center you are OK.
good luck. :)