Healthy Sequoia?

sizzler

sizzler

Hey all,

It's been several years since I've done any tree work so I was hoping you all could help me out. We're looking to purchase a house which has several beautiful, mature trees. One of these is a giant sequoia, but it's looking a little bit haggard. We live Oregon and most of the sequoias here are very full and bushy, and while I have never seen one die, I'm still concerned something is wrong with this one.

For comparison sake, I found a before shot on google earth, which was taken a few years ago, and a cell phone shot I took last week. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I would appreciate any info or ideas people have about what's going wrong or how I could help it out. It does have some ivy growing up the trunk, which I plan to cut back, but it hasn't spread into the crown.

Before:
http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww173/Sizzle-Chest/Tree2.jpg

After:
http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww173/Sizzle-Chest/IMG_0155.jpg
 
In the time between the first and second photo it looks like a house was built next door (behind it). Note the lower left corner.
It may have sustained some construction impact.

Another thing about Sequoiadendron giganteum is they are rather particular about their location. They like hot and dry summers, but only when they tap into some deep underground water source.
Usually outside their native range they are more susceptible to fungal diseases (i.e. Phomopsis Blight and Botryosphaeria).


-Diane
 
I think the angle of the first shot is obscuring the building you're seeing in the second shot. It's the neighbor's shop and it was build in the early 1900's. In fact, all the buildings in this neighborhood are historic, so construction and demolition of any structure is strictly prohibited.

I'll look into the water issue. Do you suppose the ivy around the base could be sucking up the moisture it needs?
 
I looked but couldn't see any from the ground. These are generally quite hearty, what do you suppose might cause it to thin out so much?
 
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so construction and demolition of any structure is strictly prohibited.


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What about renovation?
The house you're interested in purchasing looks like it got more than just new paint.


The reason I'm looking for an abiotic cause is because these trees are fairly resistant to most insects and pathogens. Usually something happens around their environment which throws things into decline.

My neighbor had one that was very nice and then they had to put in a new septic system and the tree thinned out like in your photo. It took it 10 more years to finally die.



-Diane
 
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I looked but couldn't see any from the ground. These are generally quite hearty, what do you suppose might cause it to thin out so much?

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There is one thing that could make a small difference, but I don't know how much.

Odds are you can't tell if the Google screen capture is showing the tree around August to September. Evergreens hold a full head of green foliage, but the dead twigs and foliage that will soon shed, make the tree look thicker from a distance.

That could account for 30% of the density difference visually. Maybe.

I remember from working at country clubs and university campuses, that those tree can shed a 3" to 5" deep layer on the ground in autumn or winter. So when all that stuff is still attached up overhead, it makes the tree look more dense.
 
trees4ever: Yes, the house was recently renovated. New roof, new exterior paint, but they blew bark into the backyard so it's hard to tell if they did anything to the ground.

mdvden: That's very interesting about the summer/winter difference. The Google picture was definitely taken in the summer and obviously it's winter now, so that might account for the difference. On a related note, there's a big-leaf maple behind it, which perhaps contributed to the full look in the summer.

I went back this morning to snapper a few more pictures and it didn't look as bad as I thought, but it's still not as full as others in the neighborhood. I can't wait to cut that ivy back!

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww173/Sizzle-Chest/IMG_0237.jpg

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww173/Sizzle-Chest/IMG_0238.jpg

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww173/Sizzle-Chest/IMG_0239.jpg
 
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mdvden: That's very interesting about the summer/winter difference. The Google picture was definitely taken in the summer and obviously it's winter now, so that might account for the difference. On a related note, there's a big-leaf maple behind it, which perhaps contributed to the full look in the summer.


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Why do you think it was summer?

Blue sky?
 
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Why do you think it was summer?

Blue sky?

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That, and the trees have leaves, the grass is brown and the school I work at down the street is out for summer vacation!
 
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