Cut conifer roots

[jfm11]

Hello all:

 

I find myself in an emergency situation, born entirely of my own stupidity.

 

I'd really apreciate some knowledgeable advice on the seriousness of what I've done.

 

Pictured is a very old conifer, variety unknown:

 

 

In my eager search for the perfect turf, last week I cut through three roots extending into the grass on the side visible in the picture.

 

The cut was at least made in each instance outside of the canopy, but already I'm seeing accelerated browning of the foliage.

 

Could anyone tell me:

 

1. what I've likely done here on a scale of 1 - will recover quickly to 10 - lost the tree with no way back.

2. a good remedy for the situation; heavy watering etc.

 

Many thanks indeed for any advice for one extremely anxious person here!

 

John M

[Steve Bullman]

Hi John,

 

How big exactly were the roots?

[PhilBeech]

Has the ground level been altered at all, fertiliser been applied etc.? Or is the only thing that's recently happened the root cutting?

 

As Steve said, what diameter were the roots?

[armybloke]

Are yo telling us that the roots you cut extended in to the turf-less circle in your picture from that big evergreen behind? Also, like Steve, how big were these roots. Also, to quash any panic, what are your symptoms of this rapid decline and could you post any pictures?

 

What you must remember (without teaching you to suck eggs) is that conifers do shed their leaves. They last for approximately 1 year and a quarter and drop out as individuals rather than great clumps - but that does not exclude a host of needles all falling at the same time.

 

To see die-back so quickly makes me think that another factor is involved in your calculations?

 

Pictures and more info will certainly help us to help you my friend...

[Al Duffill]

Hmmm, wouldn't have thought browning foliage would happen so quickly if you only cut the roots last week. As already said there maybe some other disorder with the tree. Were the roots in the circle of earth in the picture or much closer? If in doubt get an Arborist to have a look.

Edited October 13, 2011 by Al Duffill
Typo

[jfm11]

Lads:

 

thanks very much indeed for your trouble.

 

I'm attaching several photos over a couple of posts:

 

[jfm11]

 

in response to your specific queries:

 

1. the roots were cut at the base of the tree; they extended out about 3 feet max.

2. yes, I have heavily fertilized/soil amended with all the glories Rigby Taylor have to offer over the last three seasons.

3. root width in picture #3 is 4 inches

 

Again, sincere thanks for your participation here; I really could do without losing this tree.

 

John M

Edited October 14, 2011 by jfm11

[felixthelogchopper]

When you say 'accelerated browning', was it browning before as, if it was, it may be Cupressa aphid?

[jfm11]

Many thanks for the follow-up Felix.

 

My worry is the browning of leaves has never reached to the outer foliage before per images #s 4 & 5. In that sense it has certainly 'accelerated' this year.

 

Could you kindly illuminate as to Cupressa Aphid?

[felixthelogchopper]

This year or since you cut the roots? I'm afraid I don't have a link for Cupressa aphid but if you do a search on here you should find it.

[jfm11]

Unbelievably, since I cut the roots!

 

That big brown clump in image #5 from today's postings has materialized in the last two weeks. Yikes.

 

I will search for the aphid issue further; ta very much.