Help! my Franklinia is dying!

I planted this tree last fall, a Franklinia Alatamaha, not a big pot, but it seemed to adapt well to my yard, it's about 6' tall, planted on the S/E side of the front lawn, about 15' out from a large maple. Now, all the leaves have turned brown, the trunk looks like it's been girdled/chewed about 9" up, all the way around-I don't know what this could be, I don't go near it with the weedwacker & I don't think my neighbors do, either. We don't have a deer problem, (too urban), just squirrels...

We have had some strange weather this spring, up & down temps, I work p/t at a nursery & know that most tree problems can be traced back to watering, but I haven't changed my watering habits, probably gets deeply watered 2-4 times a week. There are 2 new green leaves at the top, should I keep watering it & leave it or dig it up, put in a pot, try to nurse back to health. I know these trees are a bit finicky & I was so happy that mine had made it thru the first 6 months, doing so well, w/ new leaves & buds, & now-it's breaking my heart!...

Franklinia is famous for breaking hearts, including mine -- you're in good company.

If it was completely girdled (maybe by mice?) the part above the girdle is toast. But it would be worse to strress it even more by digging it up again than it would to try to manage whatever is left of it in place. That is, if it was planted properly to begin with. Since you work at a nursery I'm presuming you probably know how to deal with container-grown trees, but most people don't.

Guy S.

I just planted a Franklinia in early spring and, at first, the local critters were doing in the new leaves as soon as they emerged. I sprayed with Ropel, and it's been left alone since. Don't know if this would help with trunk-chewing, but might be worth trying. Doesn't harm the critters, just works as a repellent because it tastes vile.

I'm crossing fingers that mine will make it; know it's a difficult tree, but just love it.

Mine is still alive and putting out new growth. I refuse to comment lest I jinx myself.

Soon dear, very soon. Now mind you, that tree was planted very close to the house so say "cheese" when you're digging dear.

Thistle5,
What type of soil do you have? If you have clay soil and you are watering deeply 2 - 4 times a week, you may be overwatering. Franklinias don't like wet soil. Check the soil pH. Franlinias require acidic soil (pH of 5 - 6) rich in humus.

Mine died late last year. Before I planted it, I amended and acidified an area approximately 5' in diameter. It grew really well for three years blooming on the third year. I used acidic fertilizer every time I fertilized. Last spring, the new growth remained pale green even after I used sulfur and Ironite. Later in the year, a heifer I had hand fed and was trying to wean got into the yard and delivered the coup de grâce. She ran into it, snapping the trunk just below the soil line. I blame its death on the high soil pH. I just couldn't keep the naturally basic soil acidic enough. :-(

bettydee, you're probably right, this is a factor-I have wretched clay soil, it's on a very slight slope, w/ some competition from maple roots. These last few days, we've gotten 9+" of rain, so that's probably the last straw, right? The sump pump also drains a few feet away & it's been running almost nonstop.

It has 2 tiny new leaves, & when I snapped off a branch end, it's still green inside. I'm going to leave it until it's absolutely, positively dead-anything I can do? Would Hollytone help or light pruning? Dig it up & enlarge/amend the planting area w/ humus, soil conditioner?