Is my tree dying?

We've been in our house for 2 years now and have a tree that our neighbours say is on its last legs. It used to have a lovely blossom but doesn't anymore. There does seem to be some growth (red in colour) on all the branches and I'm wanting to know if there's any way I can treat it.

There was also some growth around the base of the tree, about half a dozen or more of them approximately 2 feet high. I've read that this might be a sign that the tree is distressed.

Problem is, I don't even know what tree it is. I have taken some photos so if anyone thinks they can help me, I'll happily email them to you.

Thanks in advance.

 

By growth do you mean like new growth from the tree or some type of fungal growth

a very rough guide but if you scrape a bit of the bark away and its green underneath then unless something systemic is killing it off it stands a chance

 

Could you post a picture on here? See the link below for tips how to do it
http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000007

 

Thanks for the quick reply...

http://tinypic.com/2khw6a

and

http://tinypic.com/2khw9d

The new growth was sprouting from the soil adjacent to the stump and wasn't fungus, but I reckon it was tree growth of some kind, unless it was related to the bush that grows next to it.

 

It looks like either a purple leaved plum Prunus cerasifera "Nigra" or a Purple leaved cherry- Prunus spinosa purpurea. You probably have suckering growth at the base which needs to be cut right out. The tree looks like it needs a bit of a prune - which is probably why its not flowering so well. You'll have to wait till mid summer to do it (after usual flowering time, when you should prune out dead, diseased, damaged & crossing/rubbing growth, and to give it a pleasing shape. Have a close look for canker & cut right back to healthy growth. Make sure you give it a feed & mulch after pruning. Looks as if you have some lichen on it too - but this does no harm (& incidently can be a sign of clean air!) It looks as if its a bit crowded, but if its healthy this shouldn't pose too much of a problem ( though do remember that its root spread will be at least as wide as its crown, & you do have some large-ish shrubs nearby)
Prunus cerasfira has leaves that are red when young then deep purple. P. spinosa's leaves are bright red then deep reddish purple. Both have pale pink flowers in early-mid spring, with P cerasfira being more prolific.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks ever so much. Will leave it till Summer, like you say, and give it a prune.

I had a look in the local garden centre yesterday to see if there was anything specific to feed trees with. I couldn't see anything so is there anything that you would recommend?

Thanks again.

Sean.

 

Fish, blood & Bone or pelleted chicken manure, mulch with some compost - they work for me - I think there are more "proprietary" feeds specifically for trees & shrubs, but you need something roughly 5:5:5 (Nitrogen:Phosphorus:Potassium)which the above mentioned roughly have. Good luck