Hello, Two months ago, we hired some tree trimmers to cut back and shape our Alder (a.k.a. Alder berry) tree. Since then, we've witnessed a steady browning and shedding of the remaining leaves and the dying of their thin branches. Soon, the old girl will be reduced to a spare, spindly hand with forlorn fingers reaching skyward. The gardening "expert" at Home Depot recommended spraying Scott's Turfbuilder around the tree once a month. That hasn't slowed the sad decline. This tree is a shade-giver and a landmark. How do we revive her? Thank you.
Sounds like it was cut back hard during the hot time of the year, resulting in sun burn to the remaining foliage. Due to seasonal timing perhaps the main thing that may be needed to improve its condition is watering. Fertilization would increase the tree's need for water, thereby worsening the situation - if more water is what would help the tree. If the tree is not young and vigorous the severe(?) pruning may have sent it into a decline that will continue regardless of what first aid is attempted. If the tree is an alder any cutting into main stems that may have occurred, recently or in the past could produce problems with trunk decay and poorly attached replacement trunks or branches that break off at the point of attachment once heavy enough. If the tree is instead an elderberry these are sprouting, cane-stemmed, shrubby trees that are liable to have a mix of trunks and branches in various states of deterioration and renewal anyway. Cutting one of these back substantially does not have quite the same possible implications as deforming a previously single-trunked birch family tree such as an alder.
Thank you. Maybe the attached photo will shed some light on the type of tree and the severity of the trim.
Very gaunt alder. Canopy is much more sparse than it should be. Characteristic of streamside locations, might respond to watering.
Somehow it has survived in a front yard about 1.7 miles from the Pacific Ocean - hardly "streamside," which might account for its scrawny profile. How much watering, and how often?
