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My 20-25 year old specimen is about seven feet high. Its
lower four levels of branches (up to a height of about three
feet) have turned brown, with three levels eventually
dropped off. This has been happening for about ten years
now. The top three levels (6 to 8) are generally a normal
shiny and green colour - with occasional brown leaves. The
fifth layer now seems to be going the way of the fourth.
The tree is in shallow soil (six inches to a foot)on top of
chalk, in England about 35 miles north of London. The tree
is in the centre of a lawn which is about 60 feet square.
There is a good specimen about 40 feet high a couple of
streets away, in a more sheltered location.
Is this browning part of the natural growth process, or is
it due to insufficient watering, lack of fertiliser, or
what? Is there anything I can do?
Any help would be appreciated.
Bill Broughton