Question
we had the tree prune six months ago. It is at least twenty feet high. Yesterday a branch broke off due to high wind. It appeared to be dried out. The tree is surrounded by stone pavers that make up a patio. What should be done as far as watering, fertilizing, etc.  thanks for your reply

Answer
The stone pavers around the tree are compressing the soil and not allowing the roots to breath. Also the amount of water will be restricted from the pavers. The trees roots will begin to die back. The tree will compensate for loss of roots by shedding branches. The root system is not growing properly and can not support the amount of foliage so some branches will die. Both water and fertilizer will help. If the pavers are laid next to each other it may be difficult to get the water and the fertilizer to the root system. A tree need about 1 inch of water each week and with out seeing the set up I can not tell you how to water or if the water can get to the roots. Normally you would weekly place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. You might try this if the pavers will allow water to go between them. The fertilizer will have have the same problem-getting the fertilize to the roots under the pavers. If you can determine how to get the fertilizer to the roots use 1 lb of 10-10-10 per inch of trunk diameter scattered over the root surface. there are liquid fertilizers and your local nursery maybe able to determine the liquid fertilizer equal to the 10-10-10.

The main problem is the not ideal location of the tree in reference to the pavers.