Question From:
Caz in Minlaton, Minlaton SA
Nature of problem:
All trees are dying
Type of Plant (if known):
various large trees, gums, and im not sure…
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
leaves turn yellow, slowly dies – seems to be ‘contagious’ catches onto the tree next to it.. nearly all trees on the farm are dying
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
sandy/clay
How often do you water the plant:
I don’t, these were established trees
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
all hours
What type of plant is it:
native south australian type trees
How long since you planted it:
I wasn’t around but maybe 20 odd years
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
no
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
out
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
none
Upload photo if available:
IMG_1688-2.jpg
Other Comments:
My fiancé believes that it is borers that have got into the trees and they are moving from one to the other. We plan on cutting the dead ones down, but there is a lot!!
I am wanting to plant new trees but am scared too in case they also die,…
Someone told me that borers won’t get into native trees??
I am wanting to make the place look green in time for our wedding in 2018. Wanting to plant evergreen screen trees etc…
Please help???
Thanks, Caz
Answer: Hi Caz, Your fiance and”someone” are not to be trusted in matters horticultural. Borers do not kill trees. Borers mostly attack weakened trees that are dying anyway. I suspect that the trees are dying due to exceptionally dry conditions. These dry conditions may have occurred anytime during the last 1-5 years – or even longer into the past. Farming practices often disrupt groundwater leading to plant deaths…ask Peter Andrews. I am not sure what to advise you. You could wait for a very wet year and then replant more trees. Perhaps better still, ask the local farmers what is happening and what do they do about it. Peter Andrews and I recommend placing 30-60cm raised contours across the direction of flow of water in creeks and ephemeral water courses – these are sort of low dams. These may aid in water penetration into the soil during periods of rain. Good luck, Don
