Monkey puzzle tree is it okay

[Jennio]

Hi 

we love this tree and it was planted 20 years ago by us. The past couple of years the bottom branches have browned and we have removed them. We knew monkey puzzle trees had a tendency to “ shed” lower branches. We are quite concerned though that higher branches seem to be being affected. We can’t see any lichen on the tree.

we have fed it with sulphate of ammonia as advised by the garden centre.

its not just this wonderful summer that has affected it.

advice please apart from enjoy my tree ?

Edited June 30, 2018 by Jennio
Spelling mistake

[Baldbloke]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/gardening/article-2121614/ASK-MONTY-DON-How-I-save-monkey-puzzle-tree.html

 

Drought?

Seems a common problem if searching fo Monkey Puzzle dieback

[Gary Prentice]

I think you've got problems. That looks to be more than the normal habit of losing lower limbs by overshading. 

 

Any fungi around the base, now or last autumn? Weeping cracks in the stem.

 

Recent works in the garden? Any trenching or excavations nearby? Are you using any weed killer, moss killer or feed on the lawn?

 

If you planted it, were the roots spiralling around the pot? 

 

Can an you post more pics, showing a closer view of the base of the tree, 

 

Edit. Be wary of garden centre advice. Staff are often sales people, not horticulturalists, and just selling some fertiliser to help a tree in poor condition and ailing isn't much use.

Edited June 30, 2018 by Gary Prentice