Perpetually unhealthy tree. Suggestions? [Pics]

Question

I'd like some help figuring out what the cause of my unhealthy tree is in addition to suggestions on how to fix it.

The tree is at least 3 years old; I've lived in the house 2 years and each year it looks the same. Its leaves are droopy, bark peeling, and the leaves never reach the top of the branches.

I've watered regularly, treated it with root stimulant, pruned dead branches, pruned leaves sprouting from the base of the trunk and nothing seems to work.

I appreciate any help!

EDIT

Also, the tree gets full sun everyday in Dallas, Texas.

Answer 1

This tree has major damage to the important tissue underneath the bark that transports nutrients to the branches above it. From the pictures it looks like at least 50 percent of the cirumference is damaged. The branches above the damage are only getting half or less of the nutrients they should.

This accounts for the dieback at the tips of the new growth and the sucker growth.

I would say that this tree is a write off and the damage is too severe to recover from without skillful grafting.

This type of damage can be caused by a poor planting procedure. Something as simple as letting the trunk of the tree bounce up and down on the tailgate of a pickup would do this.

Another cause could be really bad staking and tying. Although given the size of the dents in the trunk you would have to tie it with metal bands not the more common wire.

Answer 2

Look at the base of your tree. The grass is right on the bark and this tree was probably planted too deeply. The moisture of soil and or grass causes bacteria to thrive and they will compromise the vascular system to the point of killing the tree eventually. I am not a fan of staking trees unless bare root or mature massive failure. There are indications your tree was staked too long and that as well as the base of the trunk moisture would contribute to ruining the vascular system all around the circumference. I agree will Kevinsky, there won't be any help for this guy at all. Is this tree planted by the Home Owner Association's contractors? You should not replace with the same tree (Pin Oak?). See if there are alternates. Purchase during the fall and do not stake. Even if planted during the spring, with little foliage to catch any wind staking greatly slows the growth of roots and girth of your tree. Make sure there is a tree ring with NO GRASS no flowers, nada, at least 3' diameter. Only the roots should be under the soil, no mulch should touch the bark as well. When planting, the root ball should sit on undisturbed soil so that the tree won't sink. Let us know what you decide and we can guide you so that this doesn't happen again.