could you please send me information on what could be killing my wallnut tree its dieing please help

Reply to post by stuart mcgregor, on July 23, 1999 at 22:43:03:

Hi, Stuart. To help with the problem, we need a little more information. Since we can't visit (you'd go broke paying airfare for 100 arborists), you have to be our eyes.

Where do you live? Do know what kind of walnut it is? What is the diameter of the trunk? How tall is it? (Estimates are OK) Tell us a little about the area and the neighborhood. Has ther been any recent (5 years) construction or changes in the area? Lawn, mulch bed, garden bed? Any other treatments to the tree, landscape or lawn?

What are the symptoms? Dropping leaves? Dead branches? Peeling bark? Holes or cavities?

Once we have a better picture, we can offer suggestions to the problem.

Reply to post by Russ Carlson, on July 23, 1999 at 22:43:03:

Myself and the walnut tree live in Kaiapoi, North Canterbury
New Zealand. I do not know what type of walnut tree it is but
will find out. The diameter is 800mm across and is
8-9 metres tall. The house is 7 metres away. The neigbours fence lines
are 5 metres away and 7 metres away. Neighbour hood
is housing but off the back fence is open land. Yes on construction
2 metres away form base of tree there has been a 6m by 6m by 1m deep
hole dug for a garage this was done 4 years ago and the
hole is still there, the tree only started to look sad 2 years
ago. In the sight work's for the garage the root system of the walnut
tree was damage on one side 2 metres away from the base of the tree.
There is a mulch bed at the base of the tree which has envy mulch
mix and plant life is bold and flaxes. Right at the base of the tree is
a 200mm hole which reaches right up the trunk for 700mm which was
there 12 years ago and still there now and is the same. Now the problem
is the fruit is less of and the leafs are half the size and no where
as green and looks so sad. No dead branches and no peeling bark.
The neigbours have the same size tree same make and model and is flush
and beautiful. Thank-you.

Yours sincerely

Stuart McGregor

Reply to post by Stuart McGregor, on July 24, 1999 at 20:15:45:

I feel I am not the best person to offer a diagnosis so far from home, (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA), and over the net at that, however; I’ll help if I can.

Your description of the situation strongly suggests your tree is declining due to mechanical damage to the root system and possibly, further degradation of the root system by parasitic fungi. It is very common for root injury symptoms to be express some time after initial damage.

I would offer that I believe the tree to be in very poor physiological health and its survivability is in question. Adequate irrigation is the only significant remedy at this time since the tree must recover from the root damage on its own. No chemical (fungicide) treatment will be of value to the root system and fertilization may actually further damage the tree at this time.

The "hole" you mentioned should not affect the tree's health.

Good Luck!

Reply to post by Stuart McGregor, on July 24, 1999 at 20:15:45:

Dave's comments seem right on the mark. The only thing I would add is that you look for a local qualified arborist to help with the diagnosis.

Reply to post by David Hucker, on July 25, 1999 at 04:24:04:

With the purchase of added topsoil I acquired a new serious problem. New plants have soon withered, lost leaves and died. Post mortem reveals white rootlike growths attached surrounding and intertwined with the plants root system which have apparently extracted the nutrients and moisture provided. I need a remedy to destroy the roots and a means of sterilizing the soil. if possible. Please advise.