Question

tree and leaves   QUESTION: I live in the Chicago area and we have had a cooler summer than usual.  i am not sure what kind of tree this is since i didn't plant it but have had it without concern for 5 yrs.  Within the past 2-3 weeks it has started dropping twigs with leaves attached on my lawn.  Within the past 2-3 days I have noticed the tree beginning to look worse-drooping as if needing water.  However, the water for all other plants/bushes/flowers has been adequate.  Can you please tell me what kind of tree it may be and why this may be happening?What to do, how to save it?
I also have a tropical Parisian bush that I bought and planted this year which is supposed to be perennial for zone 5, but this is also looking a bit "sorry" recently. I have adequately watered this as well and planted in an area according to directions-part sun (very early morning and late afternoon.  Please help!

ANSWER: From a distance it is hard to tell what kind of tree this is. Please take a picture of the leaves closer and I will try to determine the type of tree and then maybe able to diagnose the problem.

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leaves   QUESTION: Here's the picture of the leaves-hope this helps!

ANSWER: I am sorry I was not very clear about the leaf picture. Please place a couple of leaves on a white background and take the picture. The picture you sent has so many leaves in it they blend into each other.

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leaves on white   QUESTION: Here's the picture-hope this helps

Answer
Well I have looked and looked at the leaves and the other pictures and the leaves look like dogwood (opposite arrangement and veins running parallel with the leaf rib) but he bark does not look like dogwood. In any case the leaf drop problem I think is caused by what looks like rock around the trunk. This does too things it heats up the roots collar and the roots near the trunk and also presses the air spaces from the soil near the trunk. Both or these will cause root damage and in turn will result in the tree shedding leaves,. I would remove the rock and replace it with an organic mulch (pine straw is good) keep in not more then 3 inches deep and not piled up on the trunk. Make the mulch area about three feet width around the tree. the will help hold the moisture around the roots and not cause the heating problems. I would also water the tree once a week with 1 inch of water --place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. This is called deep watering and will help the root system.

Rock should not be used as a mulch around trees or shrubs. The use of rock around trees should be avoided. While rock has some limited applications as a ground cover, most rock creates an alkaline environment and most trees prefer an acidic soil. Volcanic rock is particularly detrimental to trees; not only is it alkaline, but it抯 darker color causes it to hold excessive heat.

Rock over landscape fabric is a common mulching material often considered as low maintenance. It is the preferred material for non-plant areas. Rock mulch has the advantage over wood/bark chips that it does not blow, float, or require additional amounts every few years as it decomposes.

Rock mulch can become a heat sink, creating a significantly warmer afternoon, evening, and nighttime microclimate. Outdoor people space adjacent to rock mulch will be warmer and less comfortable for summertime afternoon and evening use. In planting beds, rock mulch increases temperatures and may increase water requirement,