Saving a Rotting Poplar: Fertilization for Structural Longevity

Tall poplar has trunk rot from ground to 2 ft. No carpenter ants. Still leafing but some bare limbs. Can we save it?

Rot Process

Wounds admit decay fungi → slow internal wood decay → eventual hollowing. Health unaffected unless structural failure occurs in wind.

Management: Maximize Vigor

Spring fertilization: 2 lbs 10-10-10 per inch trunk diameter (12" tree = 24 lbs). Spread from 3 ft out to beyond branch drip line (roots extend 1.5× canopy). Water in well. No weed-and-feed – use plain slow-release 10-10-10.