Holly Tree dying

[LeeCMB]

Hey guys,

 

I wonder if anyone can help me.

 

We have a holly tree in our back garden that has suddenly lost all of its leaves. It did this last winter too, but not as bad as this winter, and the leaves kind of came back in the spring. This time it looks really bad though. Is this a sign of old age or disease?

 

Also, in the past our neighbour has asked if we could cut it down because he gets fed up of the leaves dropping in to his garden. So I also wanted to ask if the tree has any signs of poisoning. We cant see the trunk of the tree on his side to inspect.

 

A little info on the tree: 

 

When my parents moved in around 40 years ago, the tree was as big as it is now so it's been around for a few years. 

 

There are a few leaves remaining at the very top of the tree. 

 

This tree means a lot to us as we grew up with it, so any help would be really appreciated. 

 

 

Many thanks,

 

Lee.

[LeeCMB]

Another point that might be worth making:

 

For years and years, we've always had ants running up and down the tree. But since last winter, they've stopped and there's no sign of them. 

[Peasgood]

Skimmed through your first post and missed the bit about "has it been poisoned". Not having seen that suggestion my conclusion was it has been poisoned.

 

I don't agree with poisoning it but it is a rather antisocial tree for the neighbours. A big tree that drops prickly leaves everywhere (even healthy holly trees do)

[Peasgood]

ps. I am not an expert and have no evidence

[LeeCMB]

Many thanks, I really appreciate your response. 

 

Can I ask what it was that prompted you to think that it has been poisoned? 

 

Lee.

[Peasgood]

Couldn't see any other reason for it to die.

Looked at the pics hoping for a clue, expecting to see something that may have recently changed. My first thought was it may be short of water but nothing looks to have changed recently. Unless you know different, things like new patio, excavations for fences, other trees removed etc.

Looking at the pics the thing I did notice was it is a bloody big tree that must inconvenience the neighbours quite a lot with shade, fallen leaves, nesting birds (nesting pigeons or magpies are a pita). All things that point towards someone wanting rid of it. As I said, this was before reading what you said about your neighbours. 

Doesn't mean I am right, it could just be old age.

[richyrich]

Check near the base of trunk for signs of decay. I felled a similar one other day with leaf loss. Prob only 15% of 'healthy' trunk keeping it alive...

[LeeCMB]

11 hours ago, Peasgood said:

Couldn't see any other reason for it to die.

Looked at the pics hoping for a clue, expecting to see something that may have recently changed. My first thought was it may be short of water but nothing looks to have changed recently. Unless you know different, things like new patio, excavations for fences, other trees removed etc.

Looking at the pics the thing I did notice was it is a bloody big tree that must inconvenience the neighbours quite a lot with shade, fallen leaves, nesting birds (nesting pigeons or magpies are a pita). All things that point towards someone wanting rid of it. As I said, this was before reading what you said about your neighbours. 

Doesn't mean I am right, it could just be old age.

Many thanks again for your response. All your comments are taken on board. 

 

Our neighbours are renting, and the tree kind of lies mostly on our side, but also on the boundary. If we do find proof of foul play, do you know if there is anything that can be done in terms of keeping the tree alive or claiming damages if we need to have it removed? 

 

Many thanks again.

[LeeCMB]

1 hour ago, richyrich said:

Check near the base of trunk for signs of decay. I felled a similar one other day with leaf loss. Prob only 15% of 'healthy' trunk keeping it alive...

Many thanks for this. The trunk of the tree looks fine to us - although through very amateur eyes.

[Peasgood]

If it has been poisoned and you can prove it has, there is not much chance of proving who did it. So no, I doubt you will get anybody else to pay for it.