Hello,

I would love to help you with your question.  However, unfortunately, I am not able to open the picture files that you provided.  Is there any way that you can resend them in another format?

Hello Kathy,

There are many factors that can lead to problems with young trees. Based on the pictures that you provided, I was able to eliminate some of the common suspects such as mechanical damage and mulch volcanoes. However, here are other possibilities:

Improper watering

Improper planting depth

Poorly prepared planting hole

Poor quality of nursery stock

Insect or disease issue

Improper pruning

Poor soil pH

Injury from improperly applied pesticides

It is also possible that several factors may be contributing to your trees’ decline. Therefore, identifying the primary issues will be helpful in taking corrective measures.

One question that I would like to ask is, have you recently had a soil analysis done? After identifying the tree species, having a soil test is one of the most important processes in determining the underlying issues. Unfortunately, the pictures provided don’t allow us to see if the tree was planted too deep. A properly planted tree will allow the root flare to be visible.  It also appears that the tree has been pruned before and stubs were left.  Likewise, girdling roots could also be an issue. However, after getting the soil analysis, the tree itself will need a professional examination to determine what the other issues are. To that aim, I would recommend consulting with a certified arborist.

Here are some links that can help you follow through on the above suggestions.

Get Started | MSU Soil Test

Find an Arborist (treesaregood.org)

Causes of Branch Dieback on Trees | Horticulture and Home Pest News (iastate.edu)

My pleasure.  

Feel free to contact us again if you need further assistance.