Monkey tree branches turning brown - Ask Extension
Last season branches on my monkey tree started turning brown. I pruned them to the trunk but more are turning brown. There is some sap leaking near ...
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Monkey tree branches turning brown #313315
Asked April 14, 2016, 10:05 AM EDT
Last season branches on my monkey tree started turning brown. I pruned them to the trunk but more are turning brown. There is some sap leaking near the trunk bottom and there are also new green branches starting.
Can anything be done? The tree is beautiful.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for the great pictures of the problem with you monkey puzzle tree.
Here is information about problems with this tree.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/araucaria.html
Based on the pictures of branch die back, drought stress might be the cause.
Did you irrigate the tree in the last several years? Monkey puzzle trees like regular irrigation. Drought conditions from recent summers are impacting a wide range of trees. There are not any common disease of the tree per the link above
In terms of management, the growth of new branches indicates that the plant is still alive. Trim the dead branches and provide regular irrigation from May-September.
It looks like the planting location is on a slope. Consider using drip irrigation and making a small berm on the downhill side of the trunk to collect water to soak it into the root zone.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Weston
Your conclusion about my lack of watering was spot on. Thank you so much, I love the tree. I will change my evil ways immediately.