Dead Jacaranda

[mbrophy]

In March, 2003 the company that I work for installed a new copper water line at a residence in Phoenix Az. During the install we had to bore under a garden area, a fence and into the back yard. (I generally discribe the boring tool is we use is a sixty five pound, six foot long air driven ice pick) In the process of boring we ran the bore next to, but not directly under a seven to ten year old Jacaranda. The tree is now dead. The home owner advised that it did fine through this summer, but started showing signs of stress a few months ago. They kept it on a regular watering schedule. We put the copper in the ground at about 20", they think that we hit the tap root. If what we did killed the tree after 21 months we will replace it, but 21 months is a long time for a tree to die.

Any suggestions are helpful

[pruninggal]

Yes, I believe the disturbance could have been enough to kill the tree. People often underestimate the disturbance construction causes and it becomes especially "visible" when working around established trees. Also, most trees, contrary to popular knowledge have a wide spread of roots instead of one tap root. 21 months is not a long time to take a tree to die. I would advise the homeowner to get the professional opinioin of a certified arborist and would advise you to prepare to pay for a replacement.

Good luck,
Pruninggal