all trees dying in front yard

3 years ago

This dying issue all started 5 years ago with a cedar tree turning brown and then a small willow oak about 10 feet away dying and rotting within a few months. I didn't get pictures of those but then the pattern kept going. Last year a large 3-trunk willow oak had 1 trunk start dying and never leafed out but the other 2 did. I thought it may come back this year but it appears only one trunk leafed. The others are rotting away. Then a Rose Tree that was planted in a bed 30 feet away 2 years ago was growing great and then this year is just dead. I had the local county agriculture extension office come look at them but they were not arborists. They didn't see any signs of bugs or fungus on any of the dying trees. All of the trees so far in the back yard are fine except for some tall pines that have been slowly dying since we purchased the property 10 years ago. Also, a neighbor's large Post oak 40 feet downhill from the willow is dead all of a sudden last year. These trees were all healthy as of 2 years ago. What could have affected them so much in such a short time? Any advice is appreciated.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

nandina
3 years ago

I have dealt with similar situations three times in my 70 years in the horticultural business. In two situations I made a call to the local gas company and had them check the properties for slow gas leaks in their underground gas lines to houses near the dying trees. The pipes were installed many years before and had developed pin leaks. The pipes were repaired or replaced as needed. Also noted that the sandy soils allowed the leaking gas to travel easily. If there are no gas lines installed in your area then be suspicious of some underground type piping that may be causing the problem. Check your deed. Does it grant a right-of-way to any utility company pipes which could be leaking?

The last situation of this type I dealt with was on a large farming operation. The owner had installed an underground gasoline tank to service his farm vehicles. It developed a very slow, unnoticed leak. He called me to identify why his large, favorite shade tree was slowly dying.

I spotted the above ground apparatus for filling gas tanks. We did some exploratory work and identified the slow leak. Two late to save his tree.

I have, over my years posting here on GW, encouraged everyone to keep an eye out for local dying street trees. It is very common for gas lines installed in older neighborhoods along city streets to develop pin leaks. This can lead to the slow death of city trees, especially maples.

t
HU-176005703
Original Author
3 years ago
That's very interesting and I never gave that a thought. However, the only gas lines are on the other side of the street not near any of the trees there isn't any gas running near the property at all and prior to the building the original land was just wooded forest land. It does open my eyes to other possibilities. I just kept thinking disease and pests. Thank you for your response.
Related Professionals
Longview Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Auburn Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Boston Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Albuquerque Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Joplin Landscape Contractors · Lynchburg Landscape Contractors · Plainfield Landscape Contractors · Platteville Landscape Contractors · Farmington Landscape Contractors · Odessa Landscape Contractors · Enfield Home Additions · Manhattan Home Additions · Eau Claire Home Additions · Billings Home Additions · Vancouver Home Additions
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
those are huge mechanical injuries.. i would suspect car crash if they werent so high.. so i default to excavator... back hoe.. etc ...

why is there a pallet of bricks laying there.. was there large construction nearby.. anytime in the last ten years...

is that mucky looking spot a new septic field???

this tree is shedding dead bark.. its been near dead for 10 to 15 years... whether you knew it or not...

removal is your only option...

ken