I'm new to this forum, and have a question regarding the subject; Even though I discussed with my plumber the need to excavate away from my Magnolia tree when installing a new water line to my house, the unsupervised excavators dug a trench 4-5' from the base of my Magnolia tree. We're working out the details of payment in case the tree dies, but I was hoping someone could give me an opinion as to the likelihood of this tree surviving, based on the pics linked below. If likely to die, how long will it take before signs of death appear? Thanks. Bill J http://photos.imageevent.com/sibayak/miscellaneous/Mag2.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/sibayak/miscellaneous/large/Mag4.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/sibayak/miscellaneous/Mag6.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/sibayak/miscellaneous/Mag7.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/sibayak/miscellaneous/Mag9.jpg
Well that certainly isn't helping the health of the tree, I doubt the trench will kill it. In fact I doubt you'll notice little if any difference. Just make sure you keep it well watered to make up for the lost root system. Maybe throw a little bone meal or phosphorous fertilizer in the trench to encourage root growth.
Impossible to predict outcome at this stage. The Myth of Beneficial Bone Meal: http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda chalker-scott/Horticultural Myths_files/Myths/Bonemeal.pdf The Myth of Phosphate Fertilizer: http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda chalker-scott/Horticultural Myths_files/Myths/Phosphate.pdf