What is wrong with my tree?

Hi all,

I moved to my current house at the beginning of this year. There are a couple of trees in the garden, but as we have gone through spring one of them has failed to grow any leaves. It did have a small sprout at the end of one branch right at the beginning of spring but this soon died. More recently it has started to sprout growths on the trunk, but not on any of the existing branches. Here are links to some pics (you may need to scroll down a little):

http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/6/24/f_P1010010m_1006bd2.jpg&srv=img26
http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/6/24/f_P1010009m_7d771bc.jpg&srv=img28
http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/6/24/f_P1010011m_944773d.jpg&srv=img33

I have two questions: what is likely to be wrong with it, and what do I need to do about it? I am completely inexperienced at gardening.

Thanks for your help.

 

It looks a bit like a peach tree to me HB.
Could be a cherry perhaps.
Difficult to say why the top has died, but I asume that is what has happened and would explain the shoots appearing lower down.

I think you need to decide if you actually want to keep it before making you mind up what to do next.

 

Hi Pete,

Thanks for your reply. I am renting this house so I'm either to maintain it or report it if it is dangerous.

Is the top part of the tree safe if it has died? I don't want bits falling off...

 

It'll probably be a few years before it starts to shed any large pieces, I think its safe.

 

Hi Henley Birder,

The new shoots on the trunk is what's called epicormic growth and is a sure sign of a tree in ill health. Sadly by the time a tree has suffered as much crown dieback as is shown in your pics is often too late to do anything for it. From what you've described and the pictures you've posted I'd say the tree has pretty much had it.

Diagnosing ill health in trees is difficult using just a few posted pics and a small description, as ill health can be brought on by all sorts or biological and non-biological conditions - and usually the tree has been in poor condition for some time before it shows sign of distress. For a proper disgnosis you'd need to provide a history of the garden, the history of the tree, if there are any other ill trees in the vicinity, look for signs of damage or infection etc. In fact, most crown dieback is associated with something that has affected the tree roots such as Honey fungus or some other root rot. My advice is to let the agent/landlord know and get them to sort it out.

 

"The new shoots on the trunk is what's called epicormic growth and is a sure sign of a tree in ill health. Sadly by the time a tree has suffered as much crown dieback as is shown in your pics is often too late to do anything for it. From what you've described and the pictures you've posted I'd say the tree has pretty much had it. "


oh no, that is exactly what has happened to my cherry tree, which as i said in an earlier post isnt looking too great. not a great deal of cherries, and most notably the birds are picking them off but on inspection are only taking afew pieces out and tossing them away. if they dont like them anymore there must be something wrong somewhere.

there hasnt been any loss at the top of the tree, how do i go about checking to see if it is caused by rot or disease. i absolutely cannot lose this beautiful tree and will go to any lengths to save it if at all possible. are there any websites which can give me detailed steps. i am getting a tree guy in at the end of the year, he took off a branch earlier in spring but didnt mention anything about its health to me.

 

sorry forgot to add i have checked for canker, no shot holed leaves or sticky mess, and the fruit shows no sign of the fungal blossom blight. i need some expert advice really i suppose. but thanks any way