tedantle

UPDATE - I removed 10% of binding roots last year.  In the fall I will remove another 20%.  Goal is to keep the tree for another 4 - 5 years, when I move.  The first picture is this year.

Update.  I cut some of the roots between #1 left to #9, pictures in the thread with numbers on Blue tape.  Then I threw some mulch to cover the roots back up.  There was some per-mature "leaf drop", but it is starting into fall.  We'll have to wait til next spring to see the results. 

Thanks to everyone who has helped with my challenge.

Cheers!

On 24/08/2019 at 14:38, Gary Prentice said:

Where are you located? Many trees in the UK are suffering drought stress from last summers 'heatwave'  

I am located in the US near Chicago.  We had significant moisture in the spring, but it was dry Jun July.

8 hours ago, Stubby said:

This .

What is the "new can of worms", besides the obvious, not enough water uptake, tree falls over?  And thank you for your help.

Yes the crown is thinning.  This year the crown was very slow to come in.  That is what got my attention and caused me to reach out for help.

Updates, more material removed.  Any ideas on where to start cutting... or if to start cutting.

Reminds me of the first Alien movie.

Thank you Stubby, I'll keep you posted.

Its a young tree. I feel its better starting afresh than  trying to save a tree that would need a staged root pruning regime over time, that may not work in the long run

That Is bad!
I think I would take it out and replace it personally

This tree is @15 years old. (It was part of the property when I purchased.)  I noticed top thinning this year.

I'm considering having an arborist to come in an air spade to correct the problem.  I have consulted with two arborists', one says it can be saved, the other is saying, maybe not.

Thank you in advance for any feed back.