Question

Sick tree  

Healthy tree   Hi Jim,

Large PP in front of my house that has been getting noticeably thinner over the last 2 years.  Losing more and more branches and I'm fearful of losing.  

I sits adjacent to my house and has been here since the house was built in 97.  2 changes to the surrounding environment and that was adding a water feature below it and concreting the driveway which was gravel.  

Two possible problems I am speculating.  One is that we are not getting enough water due to coverage of driveway.  Have been deep rooting for days at a time and moving the probe often.  Then repeating monthly.  Or possibly getting too much water due to possible small leak in water feature.  Not losing that much water though.  

Is there a way to tell if my tree is Over or Under watered?  Attached are two photos.  First is of tree in question and other is heathy tree near (about 30 feet) by.  I am in Zone 4-5.  Denver CO, area.  

Thanks

Chris

Answer
It is probably getting enough water naturally. I would fertilize the tree with 10-10-10 at the rate of 1 lb of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. Apply the fertilizer just before a rain storm and you will not need to water. I would stop the deep watering. Fertilize now and again in the spring and this will increase the roots health and in turn the foliage health.