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Judas tree very unhappy. What should we do?

NotAclue2NotAclue2 Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Our Judas tree has been getting increasingly unhappy. Was a little happier this year than last, but not much. Does anyone know how we can recover it, or do it is on its way out? 
Thanks so much.

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Not a tree I have any experience of but there seems to be a lot of dieback issues  with trees and shrubs this year - the usual cause is insufficient water and yours does seem to have quite a bit of other competition around it

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • NotAclue2NotAclue2 Posts: 3
    Thanks Pete. We did wonder if that was the problem, there is a v tall hedge behind. But there is a v healthy strawberry tree next to it, and a magnolia that are both very happy. 

    Its probably the third year is looked like this and worse. 

    It is actually a patch of ground that get’s fairly flooded as we are lie below neighbouring gardens and a field who filled the drainage outlet in some years ago, so does get a lot of water, just not through the drier weather.

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It would be worth giving it a mulch of home compost if you make your own in the autumn and spring to give it a bit of a tonic.
    A good drench of seaweed extract each Spring would ensure it has all the micronutrients it needs.
    Other than a lack of water I can't think what else it could be.
    I know around here we had almost no rain at all during March and April this year and it's been generally dry here.
    If you do any pruning of thick branches, check the cut end for black rings- that can indicate a virus

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    if the site floods in winter then the roots will die off. This means that in summer, when the soil dries out, your tree has a limited root system so struggles to take up water. So too much winter wet can cause water uptake problems in summer. The tree may have a very shallow root system.
  • NotAclue2NotAclue2 Posts: 3
    Thanks Kate. The Bizarre thing is it has been this way for over twenty years, but its only the last few years its looked like this. 
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    I have two ornamental trees in my garden, a Cercis Forest Pansy and a Cornus. Both now 15 years old and both slowing growth rate and shedding branches especially the Cercis which I am going to remove within 6 months. I have very heavy clay and think that the trees demand more of the root system at a certain age. 
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