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Master Gardeners Florida Gardening Trees

Can I save this tree?

2 years ago

We just moved to a new home in Orlando and one of the trees looks sick. Any idea as to what type of tree this is and if this tree can be saved? I took a picture of the unhealthy tree (1st photo) and one that appears to be in good health (2nd photo) These trees are about 20 feet apart.

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Comments (11)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
Its very hard to make out details and I know very little about trees in Florida but I think you may have oaks with Spanish Moss and stem galls. (Both trees have both issues). Close up pictures would help more knowledgable people confirm or refute.
Josh Barber
Original Author
2 years ago
Good advice! Here are some close up photos.
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Can I save these trees
Q
Comments (7)
thank you both for the help..... I checked out the link, Lucky and saw this information: Partially or completely girdled trees should be protected to prevent drying out of the wood by covering the wound with grafting wax or a water-base asphalt emulsion or asphaltum material. The protection may also help prevent small pieces of remaining living bark from drying out which may then heal, thus helping the tree to survive. Do not use roofing tar, oil base paints or other oil-based products as they will only injure the tree further. I stopped off at Lowes this afternoon to get material to cover the trunks of the little trees. I also bought some Spectracide pruning seal. I do not see anywhere on the label that says if it is water or oil based. I'll wait to use it until I have more information. Looks like I'll be ordering more firewood this week. My friend who I get it from is one of the finest arborists in the state. I bet he can tell me if the trees are gonners and maybe help save them. Carol
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Mouse damage - Can I save girdled trees?
Q
Comments (1)
To get your grafting stock you need to clip the tops now. you want growth that occurred last year. Put that in the fridge with a damp paper towel. Don't forget to mark it. Don't cut the tree off yet. once buds are opening on other trees cut these off and graft to the stump. (you can't keep the scions long enough to wait for a graftable size sucker, although I guess if you have enough clippings you can try it as a backup) So you are going to cleft graft into the stump. You will need to cut into some good cambium. If it is chewwed right at the ground dig down a bit to expose some workable bark/cambium. That would not be ideal but it is your only option at this point. read and watch youtube on cleft grafts. let me add that many of the grafts on youtube are done by first time grafters and many probably fail, so look for the videos from the professionals. One detail commonly not made clear enough is the length if the connection. If you have it, you need more then and inch of contact length. Keep us posted on it
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Can I save this tree?
Q
Comments (5)
See if it leafs out this spring. It might also sprout out from below the girdling. If it does, double check to see if it was grafted, and if the sprouts are above or below the graft. If below, probably you don't want the under-stock, so should dig it up and get a new one. If from above, you have to decide if you want multiple branches from that point or want to try to select one. Either way, allow most of the sprouts to grow until the fall, then select the best 3-5 and rub off the others. Come spring, pick a single, or the best structure for a multi-branch tree, and let them grow. You will probably need to rub off new sprouts from the trunk as soon as you see them for several years, since the roots are strong enough to support an entire tree. If it was NOT grafted, then you can cut it almost to the ground, and let one of the new sprouts that will come up, take over as the "new" tree. Follow the procedure above to select the new trunk. Oh yeah, most importantly - PROTECT IT FROM GOATS IN THE FUTURE!!! ( : -)
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How can I 'save' this tree?
Q
Comments (5)
Hi jean, >>Umm. If it's the neighbor's tree, I suggest you *not* prune it. No, it isn't. It was planted by the town council and is right between our property lines. I hope to prevent further abuse to it in the future (you don't want to know how!), but for the time being, I'd just like to know the best way to prune the mutilated branch overhanging my garden. And yes, I have permission from the authorities to do so =)
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tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
That center pic looks like a giant tillandsia. Maybe duratii. It won’t harm the tree.

tj
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years ago
if you want the tree IDd ... you need to provide pix of the leaves of the TREE .. including a scale ...

perhaps after the next wind storm.. you can find a random leaf on the ground to post for us ...

ken
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
Certainly a lot of Bromeliad action going on and some lovely lichens, and the top picture does show a lot of galls. Still leaning towards an oak.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
The lichens & mosses, etc. aren't harming the tree, but I believe there being so many are more like indicators of decline. They'll multiply on dying trees like that. Trees can take a long time to die completely.

And yes, they look like oaks - perhaps laurel oaks, which can be smaller and don't live as long as some of the other types.
four (9B near 9A)
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
They are oaks. The ill-looking one IS ill, indicated by nakedness Their normal leafing behavior is to "exchange" old and new at this time of year, losing and growing concurrently.

Ask neighbors whether they saw all of tree's leaves brown. If so, then no recovery.
bengz6westmd
2 years ago
Second tree looks like live oak. And first one may be too.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
2 years ago
If this is a new construction, then I will confidently suggest that the tree is in severe decline due to construction damage. A direct result of ignorant practices by developers and contractors.
Josh Barber
Original Author
2 years ago
If the tree is in decline, would it make sense to trim all of the dead limbs. Any suggestions on how to give the tree its best chance to survive or would the best course of action be to remove and plant a new one in its place?
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
If you cut off all the dead or diseased limbs, the tree will be a totem pole! It is too far gone to be able to regenerate and attain healthy growth. Just remove and replace.

It is quite possible this tree could be victim to oak wilt, in which case you want to remove before it infects any nearby trees. And there is no cure for this issue.

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