Maybe I didn't get a clear picture of what you have. I thought you had a tree
on a slope which didn't have foliage on one side. Either way, regardless what
the condition of any tree, the application of some live compost at the drip line
will far outweigh any treatment a synthetic chemical can provide. Depending on
how much water the tree gets will tell you how much of a root system it has.
Deep, slow watering is going to put water down IN to the soil for roots to reach
downward. When people water just enough to keep the turf alive, the tree roots
are very shallow because that's where the water is.

On Fri, 26 Dec 2003 10:27:58 GMT, "Jay Casey"
opined:

Thanks for your tip.
I am somewhat unfamiliar with the expression "... is naked on one side."
Do you mean that one side will have a shallow root system or no root system?
And which side would that be - the "higher" side the tree is growing away
from?


"animaux" wrote in message
.. .
If it's growing on a slope away from the slope, chances are it is naked on
one
side because the slope prevents it from having a root system on that side.
I
would never use Miracle Gro products in the ground, especially on an
ailing
tree. You can gently put a fork in the soil around the drip line, rocking
back
and forth to form some air holes, which you will top dress with a good
compost
about 1/4 inch) and water it well. Very well. That would be 100 times
better
for the tree than spikes.


On Wed, 24 Dec 2003 09:52:13 GMT, "Jay Casey"
opined:

Thanks for your help.
The tree is a live oak.
It is a fairly sizeable, and growing on a slope (growing "away" from the
slope).
There is a huge rock that leans against it, but I doubt that the tree is
supporting
the rock's weight. More likely the tree had to grow away from the rock.
I think other rocks underneath the large one are supporting the bedrock.

Since it is not doing great, I thought about giving it one of those
Miracle
Grow
tree feed spikes which is recommended to be driven around the drip line.
If I literally follow the "drip line," it would be imbalanced
dramatically,
as all
branches and leaves are on one side. I would reckon that these spikes
should
be driven around the edge of the root system.

I thought about cutting it, but left it alone, due to its age/size.
During warm seasons, it grows green leaves, but it always looks very dry.
It was the first to lose all its leaves a month or two ago.


"animaux" wrote in message
.. .
It depends on the tree, but yes, it should be symmetric all around.


On Tue, 23 Dec 2003 10:48:59 GMT, "Jay Casey"
opined:

If a tree is growing/standing at a 45degree angle,
how would its root system be like?

Would it be symmetric underground?
Or would it be unbalanced mirroring the slant of the trunk?
Or would it be unbalanced reverse-mirroring the slant of the trunk?

Thanks, in advance, for your help.