Tree Fern is Sick - Any advice?

I am usually on the Carolina Gardening and Bamboo forums, but I'm visiting my daughter in Cypress, CA. She has a tree fern - very near her house, sort of stuffed under an overhang on the house. It doesn't get much TLC, but has always looked pretty good. Now it's got much more brown than usual. I'm sure it doesn't get watered much - maybe this condition is because it's been dry in Cypress this summer?

My daughter is a busy working Mom and doesn't have much time for anything but keeping up with work and family life. But if a dose of fertilizer or some strategic pruning would help her tree fern, I'd be happy to provide it while I'm visiting.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Entlie
New Bern, NC.

Mine had been looking pretty good too but the extended cold we had over the winter really made it go into an ugly stage, loosing all it's fronds.
I don't know much about them either but a quick Google search brought up this page which I hope you my find helpful.
http://www.angelfire.com/bc/eucalyptus/treeferns/tfprotection.html

Thanks, Sue - very helpful information!
Entlie

In order to thrive tree ferns need regular watering. They also absorb water through their trunks, so its also good to water down the trunk a few times a week. This is especially the case this year in Southern California since we are in a drought. Good Luck!