Question
We planted a locus tree in our backyard about a year and half to two years ago and it was flourishing.  About a month ago, we had an extreme heat wave and many of the leave began to turn yellow.  We figured it was because of the heat and it would recover.  Our neighbors have the same tree, planted at the same time and it's did the same thing, but has since recovered.  Ours never recovered and now all the leave have completely dried up, and some have fallen off.  It looks pathetic.  We began to think it may be diseased or a pest got to the roots.  Upon closer investigation, we pushed aside some of the ground mulch and noticed MANY earwigs running in and out of the soil.  Can they damage our tree or is this a sign that some other bugs have gotten to it?  Basically, we are wondering if it's too late or if there are measures we can take at this point to revive our favorite tree.  Please help!

Sincerely,
Becky

Answer
I would think it is the heat that caused the problem. The first thing is to check if the tree is still alive. Start at a end of a branch (if you can reach them the upper branches are the best) and scrap a small bit of bark off the twig. If the color under the bark is green then the tree is still alive at that point on the branch If so the tree should recover on its own--this late in the year it may not releaf until next spring. If the color is brown --not green - then the tree is dead at that point on the branch. Continue down the branch until you find green and prune back the dead branches. If no green is found check other branches and prune the dead back to the green. If you can not find any green the all the branches are dead. BUT the root system may still be alive and if so will resprout next spring. I would in this case wait until spring and if it does not sprout then I am sorry the tree is dead.