Anyone Help With A Palo Verde Tree?

Question

I live in Oakland, CA. I purchased this from a reputable nursery three years ago. It’s planted in a well-drained moderate hillside facing mostly west. It’s the hottest part of the house. The first year it did okay. I watered it moderately. It bloomed moderately. The second year a lot of the bark turned brown and it bloomed less. I watered it less. The same nursery told me to cut the dead off above the green part. This year it only bloomed a tiny bit (shown) and you can see how the bark has continued to deteriorate. What could be wrong?Need help with a Palo Verde tree

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Answer 1

This seems to be an infection that has, not yet, been resolved. They are very drought tolerant, but will not tolerate wet soils. This leads to infection, somewhat quickly.

I would treat with a fungicide, and prune out any growth that is completely dead.

Be sure to only water during times of severe drought, or at the very least, make sure that the soil dries out thoroughly down to about 4 or 5 inches between waterings.

Here are some articles that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/palo-verde/palo-verde-tree-care.htm