Good Bull Jones 17 said:
Builder93 said:
That tree looks like it's planted very low.
- I would get that spray head lowered . You don't want the water hitting the leaves of the tree. That could be causing some of your problems. I bet that spray pattern is hitting right at the bald area of the tree.
- I think your tree needs more sun. Can you cut back that Crape Myrtle and some of those other shrubs around it?
- I would also have the soil tested. You could be low on some nutrients.
- Have you used a Weed and Feed type product around the tree?
I googled using Weed and Feed on a tree and multiple sources said it was harmful. Have you had good success with that?
I did dig back some of the mulch, but it's just planted too low and the root flare can't really get exposed.
The spray pattern DOES hit the bald spot. It also hits some of the leaves. I will lower it I think.
Weed and Feed is bad for young woody plants but applied a the correct rate granularly, it shouldn't affect the tree. The best natural thing to keep weeds down is just good healthy soil. We tend to mix plants together that have different nutrient and watering needs. It's hard to balance things out. Plus, all of the chemicals we use inhibit the good microbes in a healthy soil like you would find where trees grow really big......a forest.
I can't entirely tell from the picture, but it appears that is a rotor in the corner. That needs to be moved out to the grass area and you really need a drip zone for your trees and shrubs. I bet the majority of your problem is the water spraying onto the leaves, especially if it's a rotor. That's a pretty hard stream hitting the leaves. If you have a high sodium content in the water it can cause salt scalding on the leaves,
I'd start with the sprinkler head.