Sad trees

[birchyboy]

We've got a couple trees with, um, issues. The pine was planted last year and has fared pretty well except for some browning needles. We've had some recent sod work done, so it might be due to over watering but I'm not sure. The birch was planted two years, really took of last summer, and then this year has crapped out.

Here are some pics of the pine. Any thoughts on the browning?

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz330/Birchy_Boy/House/bd193a1b.jpg
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz330/Birchy_Boy/House/d5971db4.jpg
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz330/Birchy_Boy/House/84a75acb.jpg

And here's the birch. It started sprouting some new limbs so I've trimmed the hell out of the old ones and the top. It looks like hell but is perking up some, but I don't expect it to last much longer. I was hoping it would grow more new limbs, but it might be time to go bye bye:

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz330/Birchy_Boy/House/867b09c8.jpg

[mdub]

If you think it is overwatering lay off a bit. The pine looks to have new growth. That is a good sign. I would buy some plant food for them to start.

[TinkerinWstuff]

there is a method for simple test of soil to see if you are watering properly.

Has to do with boring a little hole and seeing if the soil clumps or something...

[mxer]

You didn't build up a little wall around the root ball to catch the water and let soak.

[birchyboy]

You didn't build up a little wall around the root ball to catch the water and let soak.

We did that last year but leveled it out this Spring.

[Ghosty]

Call the Tree Farm out near Niwot on Hwy 52. They're huge and know their stuff. Maybe can give advice:

http://www.thetreefarm.com/

Some articles on browning pine needles, to get ya started:

https://www.google.com/search?q=cause+of+brown+pine+needles&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=

[Wrider]

I'll ask my uncle when I see him this weekend. He owns/runs a tree transplanting business and has for a few decades. I can pretty much guarantee that nobody knows more about trees than him. (And yes that includes biology professors, seeing as he has done that as well.)