Is my aspen dying?

[JohnGalt36]

I have a problem with one of my aspen trees and can't find any problems online that match it. I'm in Idaho (zone 5b) and just bought a house. It appears as though this tree has been cut back before, but I'm not sure why it hasn't succeeded like the other one.

Any insight is appreciated.

 

[ATH]

It is planted too deep. I'd start from there...

 

[JohnGalt36]

Interesting. Would you recommend digging it out a bit? Is the tree done for since it's planted too deep?

There was a significant amount of undergrowth beneath the tree that I cleared out today and it probably lowered the soil level a good 4 inches around the tree as well.

 

[ATH]

Wow...you already lowered it 4"? You should see the root collar - where the trunk flares out into the main structural roots right at the surface.

I doubt that tree stands much of a chance. But know for the next one you plant, make sure it is as the correct depth. The often come from the nurseries too deep - I have to scrape 3-4" off the top of the root ball before planting many trees....

 

[JohnGalt36]

4" might be on the high end, but somewhere around there. We bought the house with these trees in, so I have no idea how they were planted. The other one is doing quite nicely, though.

Thank you for your responses.

 

[Jason Douglas]

Mattheck refers to the genus as a whole as Populus pieceofshitii...