I’ve noticed a lot of trees this year, even crepe myrtles, either have a thinning canopy, smaller leaves, or dead branches in the top of the tree. This may be due to low potassium in the soil. Take a soil sample around these trees and send it off to the NCDA&CS soil test lab to have the soil analyzed for nutrients. If the soil is low in potassium, add the needed amount now to improve the tree’s ability to make it through the upcoming winter.

While waiting for the soil test results, cut out the dead wood in the top of the tree. This wood isn’t going to magically recover. Any new growth that may occur will happen lower in the tree and grow up to fill in the space where the dead limb is.

In the interest of safety, if the limbs that need to be removed are too high in the tree to safely remove them while standing on the ground, consider hiring a professional to remove them. I know it’s more expensive, but well worth the cost to prevent possible injuries if someone falls out of a tree or off a ladder.

Be safe, so you can garden, and most importantly live longer.