What is causing my shade tree to die back?
Shade tree decline can be caused by a number of factors. One of the most common errors I see occurs at planting time. Many people plant trees too deep, which can suffocate the roots. Dig planting holes 2-3 times as wide as the root ball and plant the tree the same depth as the root ball. Many people plant very large and expensive trees to get the effect of an “instant landscape”. However, large trees may experience several years of transplant shock because they have so much more canopy than their roots can support. In the long run, it may be better to start with a smaller tree and provide good maintenance. One of the major causes of tree decline is planting a tree in a location to which it is not suited: a shade-loving tree in full sun, a large tree in a confined location, a tree intolerant of air pollution in an urban landscape, or a tree that prefers well-drained soil in a swampy area. Choose a tree that is well-adapted to local conditions. Other factors which place trees under stres
