Question
Our backyard, in Scottsdale Arizona, has a Shamal Ash that was planted 6 years ago.  It stands about 16 ft tall and has a branch diameter of about 12 ft.  It has been healthy until this year.  At the beginning of March the side of the tree that faces the sunrise started to get tiny leaves on it.  They never got any bigger.  Also, most of the leaves are on the lower branches.  In April the side of the tree that faces the sunset started to get tiny leaves on it.  They never got any bigger.  Also, most of the leaves are on the lower branches.  The tree is watered by a soaker hose buried 3 ft under the ground about 3 ft out from the trunk and it circles all the way around the tree.  Over this past winter the tree was watered every 10 days.  About 6 weeks ago the watering was increased in increments to every 3rd day delivering 28 1/2 gals of water/watering.  The tree was fertilized when it was planted with organic fertilizers.  Since then the tree hasn't been specially fertilized but it is surrounded by bermuda grass that has had organic fertilization 3 to 4 times every year.  We don't plant rye grass in the winter but let the bermuda die off and it gets watered every 10 days over the winter too.  One week ago my husband took a small branch of the tree to Moon Nursery in Phoenix Arizona.  When the bark of this branch was scratched, it was green.  The nursery people said it needed fertilization and so he bought their Moon Dust organic tree fertilizer.  He applied it one week ago and again yesterday.  We have seen no enlargement of the leaves to date and no sprouting of leaves on the very upper branches.  What is wrong with our tree?  What did are we doing wrong?

Answer
I think it is getting too much water. Too much water gives the same symptoms as too little water. I would go back to the 10 day watering if it does not rain. The fertilizer will not cause a reaction right away. The fertilizer will increase the roots and in turn the roots will increase the foliage amount. You may not see much improvement this season. Any improvement on leaf size will be on the new growth at the ends of the branches. The small leaves will remain small this year. IF you have not done so I would mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inch deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk. This will help hold moisture around the roots and allowing more time between watering.