[GradySailfish]

Hi guys, I have the following tree in my backyard, and I've noticed that the tree has been flowering less and less every spring. On some branches there are no flowers, but only leaves at this point.

I noticed this happen about one to two years from when I removed all the little stones in my yard (when I moved in my entire backyard was of little redstones and broken old bricks), added topsoil and grass.

Last year as per suggestion of the local nursey guy I put some fertilizer stakes into the ground, but I don't think that helped very much. Anyway, tell me if you see something wrong. I looked at the base of the trunk and all looked ok as I didn't find little pinholes or rot.

It eventually fills in with green leaves, but I distinctly remember it having more bloom. I could really care less about the colors but I just don't want the tree to die.

Thanks in advance

 

[Koz54]

It is a pink dogwood.

I had one, cut it down about 2 years ago due to a disease it had. I don't remember what it was.

Bloomed one year, noticed a funny look on the bark, (mold like, but in the winter) never bloomed the following year and died

It was an old tree, and I liked it

I think Chevy is the "tree guy" here.

This post edited by Koz54 02:44 PM 04/30/2008

 

[Koz54]

maybe this will help

Dogwood disease factsheets

 

[MakoMike]

There is a disease called "dogwood blight" which has been in the area for some time now. I've never been able to figure out why some trees get it and some don't. I have four dogwood trees and one has it while the others are fine.

 

[canyonfvr]

Chevy1

like Koz said hes the tree Dr

 

[GradySailfish]

Thanks guys, hopefully he will see this, otherwise I'll find and PM him.

I read about the "dogwood blight" but it doesn't seem to have those exact symtpons. For instance the bottom of the tree is quite better off then the top. Also I never recall the leaves having blotches and what not.

 

[CHEVY1]

Old dog

That's a old tree, many many factors could be the cause of it's decline. I need to really see it up close to give you a exact cause. But for starters,

Is that little plantbed under the tree new?( under 5 years)
Were the roots disturbed when you re-did the lawn?
It looks like the root flare is covered too, did you add soil or mulch around the tree? Higher than it was prevously?

I will be working in your area in the next two weeks, send me a P.M. with Your name ,# and address and I will stop bye and give you a complete evaluation ( no charge)!

 

[filo1]

If it is a doogwood I always thought they did much better out of direct sunlight. Did you recently cut a larger tree that gave it some shade?

 

[filo1]

That may be the reason it looks better at the bottom than the top.

 

[MakoMike]

CHEVY1 wrote:
That's a old tree, many many factors could be the cause of it's decline. I need to really see it up close to give you a exact cause. But for starters,

Is that little plantbed under the tree new?( under 5 years)
Were the roots disturbed when you re-did the lawn?
It looks like the root flare is covered too, did you add soil or mulch around the tree? Higher than it was prevously?

I will be working in your area in the next two weeks, send me a P.M. with Your name ,# and address and I will stop bye and give you a complete evaluation ( no charge)!

What a deal! And who says it doesn't pay to hang out in the lounge?

 

[GradySailfish]

Wow that great Chevy1. I will do just that. I think a fishing trip is in order.

To answer some questions though, no I did not cut out a new tree. I did remove a small bush by that was just last weekend so it would have no effect.

I don't think the roots were disturbed when I did the grass. I basically pickup a bunch of stones, added about 3-4 inches of soil and put down sod. I don't think I ever injured the roots. The only one who I think can have caused damage was then I had two new pilings installed which required putting in "dead men" about 15 feet away from the tree. (this requires digging down about 6-8 feet and burying a 8 by 8.

The little planting thing was always there. I just added some mulch around it and some of those rocks.

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[MakoMike]

I think what chevy was referring to was the bulge at the base of a tree just where it enters the ground. Did you ever notice that a natural tree doesn't just stick stright up out of the ground? That bulge ( for want of a better word) should be kept above ground. If its covered up while adding top soil or anything else the tree will gradually die. We see it often up here in the woods whent he bring in fill to make a lawn around a new house and cover up the bulge. In a few years the tree will die and everyone wonders why. If you need to fill around a tree construct something around it to keep the fill away from the tree and the bulge at its normal level above the ground.

 

[GradySailfish]

Mike I think thats the culprit. I will see what Mike/Chevy1 has to say but I think thats what is causing the problem. Although the new topsoil didn't go too far up the trunk I somewhere along the line probably did cover that hump up.

I have another tree in my yard that was in a bed filled with rocks (the former owner of my house had a thing for rocks), whcih I dug out and filled with topsoil and turned into a plant bed. At that time I placed a plastic border around the base of the tree and it has been in great shape since.

I think I'll take some of that mulch back from around the trunk. There isin't much there but I know ever a little bit of mulch traps moisture.

 

[Gaucho]

See if Bloomberg will plant you a new tree.

 

[CHEVY1]

MakoMike

That BULDE you refer to is called the root flare.
Keep you person stuff outta this

I will call you over the weekend about stopping over to look at he tree

 

[MakoMike]

Flare schmare, its a bulge in the nottom of the tree!

 

[CHEVY1]

HELP

If anyone knows Gradysailfish and you have his phone #, could you call him tonight and let him know im going to go to his house tomorrow to do a fall deep-root feeding for his trees and shrubs. I sent him a P.M. but im not sure he will get it in time.If not it's no problem, I will just do the work he requested

 

[AZFISHKILLER]

CHEVY1 wrote:
If anyone knows Gradysailfish and you have his phone #, could you call him tonight and let him know im going to go to his house tomorrow to do a fall deep-root feeding for his trees and shrubs. I sent him a P.M. but im not sure he will get it in time.If not it's no problem, I will just do the work he requested

 

[CHEVY1]

WHAT

 

[canyonfvr]

Didnt Gradysailfish move

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