persistant herbicide question

titch · « **on:** November 23, 2008, 12:13 »

was talking to a friend who laid some turf in their garden around 2 years ago - since then 2 of their trees have died - a silver birch, a hawthorn and their plum tree also produced very little fruit the past years and is looking very bad. They planted the turf around the trees - and have noticed no weeds only a little moss on the lawn.
Could this be the herbicide?
any answers appreciated

PinkTequila · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2008, 12:16 »

Was herbicide put down? If so what sort and did it stray?
Is the grass still growing?
Has anything else been done to the garden apart from turfing?
Was the ground dug before the turf was layed?

richyrich7 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 23, 2008, 12:18 »

I'd remove the turf from around the tree's by about 3' diameter, the turf is competing with the trees for moisture nutrients etc. Don't think it would be herbicide residue unless they weed and feed their lawns spring/autumn

titch · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2008, 16:10 »

they didnt put any herbicide down, we wondered if the turf they bought might have and if so would enough leach out to kill the roots of the trees as that is where they have died. They ahvnt done anything else, they are pretty laid back gardening types eg dont do hardly anything, bar pick the plums and mow the lawn

richyrich7 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2008, 16:28 »

possibly Titch but it would depend on what's been applied, but I would have thought 2 years would have been long enough for it to disperse and break down.
I personally would still think that the turf up to a young tree is a bad idea and is a contributing factor, certainly I was taught not to grass up to new trees. There's just too much compettion for the trees to survive, esp if as you say they are "laid back" they possibly did not give enough after care to the young trees for them to thrive, and possibly no correct soil conditioning as they where planted.

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