Dawyck problems

[Marnie]

Hi, friends.

I don't know what to do with the dry branches on my trees. Should I trim them, prune them or leave them?

Also, I have added pictures of the water channel beside the trees and I'm wondering if it is causing the trees to get too much water.

This is now their third summer.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Raintree]

Not sure what we are looking at?
Couple of European Beeches with deadwood and die back?
What area are you in and what are those trees?
With your answers, also uncover the root collar (flare) and post pictures of the stumps.

 

[Marnie]

Not sure what we are looking at?
Couple of European Beeches with deadwood and die back?
What area are you in and what are those trees?
With your answers, also uncover the root collar (flare) and post pictures of the stumps.

I'm in oakville, ontario. I hope these newer pics help. Each one is of a different tree of same kind. There is new growth and leaves but there are also branches that are dry and don't look like they are coming back. Plus, when it rains the water sits in the crevasse from my original post.

Do I trim those dry branches or leave them be?

 

[Raintree]

Good job with the pics.
Looks like heavy clay soils, once a week watering should be sufficient.
No need to keep support stakes, remove them.
The buttress roots are showing us the tree was in a small container for too long. Nothing to be done about that. One small root can be removed in first stump pic, it crosses over the flare.
Last stump pic, more soil needs to be pulled back, you haven't exposed the flare yet.
What is the glandular white stuff around the stumps?
Have you ever had a soil test done? If not your going to need one.
Yes it's okay to prune out the dead.

 

[Marnie]

Good job with the pics.
Looks like heavy clay soils, once a week watering should be sufficient.
No need to keep support stakes, remove them.
The buttress roots are showing us the tree was in a small container for too long. Nothing to be done about that. One small root can be removed in first stump pic, it crosses over the flare.
Last stump pic, more soil needs to be pulled back, you haven't exposed the flare yet.
What is the glandular white stuff around the stumps?
Have you ever had a soil test done? If not your going to need one.
Yes it's okay to prune out the dead.

Thank you for your reply. I did as you suggested and two of the three trees got leaves within 24 hours. The third one with the clay like soil is still struggling but I see the buds so I'm going to wait. Your advice was amazing and really helpful. Thank you.

 

[Marnie]

Good job with the pics.
Looks like heavy clay soils, once a week watering should be sufficient.
No need to keep support stakes, remove them.
The buttress roots are showing us the tree was in a small container for too long. Nothing to be done about that. One small root can be removed in first stump pic, it crosses over the flare.
Last stump pic, more soil needs to be pulled back, you haven't exposed the flare yet.
What is the glandular white stuff around the stumps?
Have you ever had a soil test done? If not your going to need one.
Yes it's okay to prune out the dead.

Oh, the white granules are tree food of some kind and I just bought the soil testing kit.

 

[Raintree]

Thank you for your kind words. We're trying to help the trees long-term. Recent actions taken have no immediate growth response. Cease with the fertilizer for now. Are you doing the testing yourself or collecting a sample to send out?

 

[Marnie]

Thank you for your kind words. We're trying to help the trees long-term. Recent actions taken have no immediate growth response. Cease with the fertilizer for now. Are you doing the testing yourself or collecting a sample to send out?

Here are the roots of that last tree. Did the ph test on the soil for the same tree and it is at 5.5. It has buds but they haven't flowered yet. Do I just leave it be or is it done for? Thanks again.

 

[Raintree]

The soil PH is acceptable. If the tree isn't in leaf by now it's a very good possibility it's toast.

 

[Marnie]

The soil PH is acceptable. If the tree isn't in leaf by now it's a very good possibility it's toast.

Ok, thanks for confirming. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.