Sick magnolia

[Arborowen]

Hi interested in some opinions about what might be going on with this mag. Chalk soil well draining, tree has stood for at least 30years the clients knows of but is likely older.

 

The tree started dieing back over the last 3-5years. Appears to be stressed. One guess could be the very hot dry summers and very wet winters? At the location the tree is in the soil horizon is extremely thin. Could this be causing root desecation in the summer and suffocation in winter? I'm not sure if mags are susceptible to lime-induced chlorosis. Possibly water washing down from the bridle way be changing the PH of the soil?

 

I'm lost here :-$

 

Thoughts welcome.

 

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[nepia]

Magnolias do prefer slightly acidic soil but they are surface rooting. However, after 30 years perhaps even the relatively shallow roots have hit chalk. The client could try mulching I suppose, maybe with ericaceous compost mixed in but if that does help it's going to have to be the start of a maintained regime.

[Graham]

Perhaps lime-induced chlorosis.

[felixthelogchopper]

You could try an ericaceous feed mixed up in a watering can. Miracle Gro do a decent one IIRC.

[Graham]

A good soil drench of sequestered iron if lime induced. Are there any signs of Honey fungus as I saw one like that which was affected by HF.

[bolthole]

Have they at any pont had the lawn spiked?

 

A friend of mine did his lawn with a hook-aerator - pretty much did for a small rowan and a couple of apple trees that were surrounded by the lawn.

[Arborowen]

Thanks for the comments guys I'll have a think and probably recommend mulching and adding an ericacious fertilizer. The lawn has not been spiked to my knowledge and clients say no sign of any fungal fruiting bodies but we all no that's still not meaning it's not there but a good start.

 

Cheers for all your help.

 

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[Graham]

There may be no sign of FFB. Have a look for oozing from beneath bark. Sequestered iron will give it an immediate boost if chlorotic.

[Paul Cleaver]

I think you have mentioned some possibilities - the only thing I could add is the possibility of over use of lawn weed/feed? - does the lawn show any evidence of scorch?