First tree roots are not right at the base of the tree but out almost as wide as the brnaches. What is the concrete arond the base? I hvae no experience with water bags but I live in S. BC where we have had an incredibly hot summer and my trees are all suffering somwhat no matter how much I water. You need to talk to the local garden center to see if it is an issue or just reaction to the heat.

Not an expert, but I do notice that the grass around that tree is in distress too but around the other trees, it isn't.

Was something sprayed in that area? I see there markings on the street for some kind of digging that is going to occur. Why are they digging? Is something seeping underground that is going to be repaired?

It's summer in Seattle! We get NO rain here in summer and since water is a precarious and finite resource, few bother to water lawns - allowing them to go dormant - and no one waters hell strips!!. I don't see any lawns "in distress" - they all look the same - summer dormant. They come back to life in fall with cooler temps and rain.

@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) LOL, I was trying to be tactful. By "distressed" I meant "dead." Or, better yet, nonexistent.

Can you put a garden hose drip on the tree 2x / week for about 20-30min instead of a bag? I am no expert, but I have recently planted some trees and the plant nursery mentioned how important it is not to smother the trunk of trees (don't bury to deep or cover up to the trunk with bark). I would worry that the tree bag is smothering the tree and would be inclined to run a hose out with a low flow of water for 20-30min to deep water it. This is what the plant nurseries have always recommended on new trees. And I believe the same is suggested if we have any established trees in distress from the heat.

it just occured to me that the city sent a team here to dig right next to the tree. I don't know what for but they are now sending another team to replace the concrete. it is possible that when they dug they damaged the tree roots because the area dugged (now no grass) is right up against the tree.

these little brick stones stacked up circling the trunk is my idea of doing a raised bed kind of thing to retain water/rain. though I could be totally off. maybe its hurting the tree.

It's impossible to say if it's going to make it or not. Use the advise pricklypearcactus gave you for watering. How old is the tree? The main reasons for a tree failing are incorrect planting and watering. What does it look like at the base? Does it have root flair or look like a lollipop? Remove the brick, they aren't doing anything good for the tree. Keep any mulch at least 6" from the trunk.

thanks everyone! I have removed the concrete blocks and water bag, now running a hose at a slow rate.

Do I have this right. The city came out and dug a trench or something next to the tree and now one side of the tree is loosing it's leaves?

Is the dying side of the tree on the same side as the digging was done?

If so - there is your answer - if you cut through the roots the area of the tree supported by those roots will die.

I would contact your city offices and let them know what happened. For my city it would be the Dept of Public Works, Shade Tree Commission, but I don't know what dept/commission may be in charge where you live.

As pointed out above, tree roots spread to the width of the tree. If they dug close to the tree, the roots could have been damaged or even chopped off on the digging side, giving the tree less ability to absorb water. It may be temporarily distressed (in this case, not dead) and will come back next year.

the dying side is actually not the same side of the digging side. it's the opposite side.

It occurred to me that the branches may have been slightly broken by some equipment when work occurred. Not enough to be noticeable without close inspection, but enough to kill the branches.