Question
I planted a flowering plum tree in a flower bed approx. 4 years ago. It has grown to be quite large and beautiful. About 2 months ago the leaves started falling off although they looked healthy. Now the leaves look dried up and are still falling off and is almost bare. It was planted with 2 crepe myrtle, 2 mock orange, myoporum & dragon's blood groundcovers. It resides on the east side of my house. We live in Redding, California where the summers get very hot, but I water this flower bed to the complete flooding stage approx. every 3 days. Do you think I have root rot or another problem? I hate to lose the tree and don't see any outward signs of problems. Please help!

Answer
Donna:
Too much water can create an ideal environment for root rot.  A well drained soil is essential. Saturated soils creat an anaerobic condition where roots cannot "breathe".  Often, the soil may take on a sour smell if it is wet for long periods.  Soils should be moist- so so  the soil sticks to your fingers when pressed together. You also might examine the trunk for loose bark or any apparant damage that might be noticable.

Steve