Is this tree dead?

[growingvegetables]

The bark looks like it's been scraped off at the base, ...

(Not so) daft question - do you strim the grass around the tree?

Very common damage to trees; the strimmer, used over a few seasons, stripping the bark right round the trunk, circling the trunk ... and killing the tree.

[As in one M Thatcher killed more trees than Dutch Elm Disease! The Tories' replacement of skilled and experienced council employees with cheap, contracted-out, strim-and-who-cares, privatised "services" killed perhaps 10% of urban trees. Sorry - don't remember where I read that .]

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Apple wood smells lovely in an open fire.

 

[gaijintendo]

It's probably pining for the fjords.

 

[classic33]

It's probably pining for the fjords.

Just log it as dead and plant a new one.

 

[Tin Pot]

(Not so) daft question - do you strim the grass around the tree?

Very common damage to trees; the strimmer, used over a few seasons, stripping the bark right round the trunk, circling the trunk ... and killing the tree.

[As in one M Thatcher killed more trees than Dutch Elm Disease! The Tories' replacement of skilled and experienced council employees with cheap, contracted-out, strim-and-who-cares, privatised "services" killed perhaps 10% of urban trees. Sorry - don't remember where I read that .]

No, actually I planted lettuce around it one year, then wild flowers the next.

It looked cool a few years ago. Sad to see it go if it does, but allows me to put in a seating area and heating.

 

[slowmotion]

Scratch it. See here........

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-scratch-test.htm

 

[classic33]

Looks like an ex tree to me.

Still a tree, just not in the best condition

 

[Heltor Chasca]

No, actually I planted lettuce around it one year....

Ahhh. There’s your mistake. Death by salad. Lettuce pray.

 

[Tin Pot]

Scratch it. See here........

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-scratch-test.htm

"Bend some of the smaller branches to see if they snap. If they break quickly without arching, the branch is dead."

Did this last year, snapped immediately. I'll take some bark off the trunk and see.

 

[Tin Pot]

Still a tree, just not in the best condition

Its not dead. It's just resting.

 

[sight-pin]

What if I hacked off all the lower branches, encouraged some height?

I would try @CanucksTraveller suggestion. Other than that i dunno........Just try and make it look pretty.

 

[Dave 123]

Still a tree, just not in the best condition

I've been in the world of plants long enough to be heartless! Rip it out!

 

[classic33]

I've been in the world of plants long enough to be heartless! Rip it out!

Heartwood!!

 

[Dave 123]

Heartwood!!

Hearth wood

 

[classic33]

Hearth wood

Sap?