Learn / Ask The Landscape Professional
I have a tree in my front yard that was planted some time ago and appears to be completely dead. Can you come take a look and tell me what happened and if it can be saved? Kathy
Answer
When we took a look at the tree, not only
was it completely dead, it looked like a
telephone pole (sides straight into the
ground with no root flare at the base
showing). We then excavated 6 inches down
around the base of the tree and the
picture shows what we discovered. The
outer layer of the tree had been rotted
away because the tree was planted too
deeply. Unfortunately, this tree cannot
be saved.
The tree bark forms the outer protective
layer of a tree or shrub. Just under the
outer bark is a thin layer of cells called
the phloem that provides for the transport
of sugars and water throughout the tree.
Trees and other plants make their own food
in a process called photosynthesis which
converts carbon dioxide and water into oxygen
and sugars the plant needs using energy from
the sun. These nutrients are moved throughout
the tree from the places where they are made
(the leaves) to the places they are needed
(roots and flowers) through a layer of cells
called the phloem.
What has happened to the tree in the picture,
by planting it too deeply, the outer bark
and phloem were rotted away and severed so
the food from the leaves could no longer
make its way to the root system where it is
used and stored.
When a tree is planted the root flare of the
tree must be above the final soil level
and mulch must not be heaped up the trunk
like a "volcano". Excessive mulching can
cause the same problem as planting a tree
too deeply. If you suspect a tree has been
planted too deeply, sometimes we are able to
replant it correctly if it's not too large.
Give us a call if you need help of any kind
in your outdoor landscape.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
