Please help me save my Tree Fern !!!

midlands, United Kingdom

Hi There,

I have a Tree fern which I believe is Dicksonia antarctica.

I have had issues with this since September when i noticed canker, and a possible edema. I had treated the wound accordingly back then with Bordeaux mix (Copper) and also dug more sand and compost into the soil around the base of the trunk understanding the problem to be one of respiration. I also used a mix of armatillox and water to disinfect the soil.

Since then, the tree has been covered over winter, and what was once an orange wound has now become a white scar ?!? Is this a sign that it is healing and that I should cut the infected part away now and re-disinfect, or does this look really bad and if all else fails cut the tree in half and stand a chance of saving it ???

Any advice would be truly appreciated, its such a lovely tree, nearly 6ft tall !?!

First pic, November, 2nd and 3rd pic, 2 weeks old.

Many Thanks, The Lone Gardener

On plant Dicksonia antarctica

13 Feb, 2011

Answers

Bamboo

Well it looks a lot healthier in the last picture - if it seems to be like a scar, why cut it out at all? If you had a scar, you wouldn't cut if off, would you? Leave it alone, and watch for more weeping, etc., or signs of disease, and also signs of growth later on.

14 Feb, 2011

Thelonegard..

Ok, thanks Bamboo, hope life is treating you well .x.

14 Feb, 2011

Bamboo

Well, I'm still breathing, got a pulse...

14 Feb, 2011

Thelonegard..

Good News ! A frond has appeared on my very sick tree fern. Too early to celebrate just yet though !?!

28 May, 2011

Thelonegard..

Still only the one frond : (