Arborists and scientists drill sample using special tubular drill to the middle of the trunk and just count growth rings. This can be done without...
Do a search and you find detailed pictures how to do an airlayer. It is only possibility to save your tree but it is not guaranteed method either....
Only air layering above the wound might save your tree.
I think it is mostly because of temperature. My zone is 5 also but I live so far north I might have some snow on the ground still for a month from...
I would prune most of the top off on the left after leaves have droped. In theory then all their "energy" is stored to the roots. Next spring...
Year ago on my 4' Acer Triflorum top branches started to die. I had planted it maybe a month before and it was on sale. When I cut I found black...
More sun, less Nitrogen, acidic and dryish soil. All those are mentioned somewhere.
Fireglow at Esveld Gallery http://www.esveld.nl/~laur/gallery.php?url=htmldiaen/a/acpfir.htm&pic=/plantdias/65/65542.jpg&id=2617&lan=eng
