Tree decline is a difficult term to define becuase so many factors can cause it to

occur. Some of the most common symptoms include stunted growth, premature leaf drop, late spring leaf development, sparse foliage, leaves that are light green or yellow and twig and branch dieback.

One in decline, trees become apparent after two or three years of stress. By this time the tree has used up much of its reserves trying to survive.

Helping trees avoid the perils of decline requires the landscape manager orhomeowner to recognize what environmental conditions, both man-made and natural, cause the stress responses that lead to decline.

Poor Growing Conditions

Many species of trees have specific site requirements, such as soil texture and pH, nutrient levels and drainage that must exist for the tree to thrive and overcome other stresses. urban landscapes create many other problems such as poor soil quality, proximity of buildings, sidewalks, streets, utility pipelines and other trees.

Diseases and Insects

Due to the uncertainty of wholesale grower stock, trucking and weather, all varieties Most trees are able to withstand some leaf loss, but several years of it due to insects and diseases can lead to decline. many pests cannot survive in a healthy tree. Once a tree becomes weakened from drought, pests invade rapidly.

Low Temperature Injury

There are three primary ways low temperature can afect trees. Winter desiccation, especially in evergreens, is caused by dry, freezing winter winds as the frozen ground prevents the tree from taking up water from the soil.

Freeze damage can occur when late or early hard freezes hit before a tree has gone dormant or after a tre has come out of dormancy. Trees that are marginally hardy for colder zones are especially susceptible.

Sunscald is common in thin-barked trees. injury occurs one of two ways -- either the living bark tissues suffer dehydration following exposure to winter sunlight or tissues in the bark are killed dur to rapid temrperature changes after sundown in winter.

Chemical Injury

Herbicides used in the lawn may hae an adverse affect on trees, as can the improper use of insecticides and fungicides.

De-icing salts can also be harmful to trees, especially sensitive species such as crabapples and white pines.

Physical Injury

Girdling Roots

Occassionally a root will grow around the circumference of a tree at or slightly below the surface of the soil, restricting water flow.  These are roots that are strangling trees by wrapping around the buried part of the trunk.  Sometimes you can see them, but more often than not you need to remove soil from the base of the tree before they're visible. Girdling roots make it difficult for nutrients and water to flow upward - they're like a tourniquet.  The tree grows very slowly, it goes into premature decline, and the base of the trunk is weakened and can snap in a storm.

Drought

What To Do?

Here are some guidelines for avoiding a decline situation:

• Start our right. Plant trees that match the site and consider the limitations of existing hardscapes and other vegetation on the new trees.
• Avoid damage. Mechanical damage can be avoided by mulching a 4-foot diameter circle around the trunk 2 to 6 inches thick. The mulch also mimics the natural nutrient recycling process that occurs in wooded areas.
• Incorporate organic matter into your soil.
• Water well. Water infrequently but deeply with soaker hoses or drip irrigation when regulations allow. once a week waterings are usually adequate, but it makes sense to check the soil moisture level with a soil probe to ensure this is working.
• Fertiliztion. proper fertiliation helps the tree get the nutrients it needs, especially in problem soil. A soil test is the best way to determine what the tree does and doesn't have available. Fertilizer should be applied t the drip line at the proper rates and is most effective when applied in spring just before growth occurs.