(ID) Need to identified a sick tree

[Teddy]

hi, i currently have a tree from a nursery but without the tree tag on it. I had asked the assistants there and they had no clues. It was a tree on discount because it got dead branches on the top and bottom or the tree. but since i really like the shape of this tree, i took a risk and rescued it. Can someone please tell me what's wrong with the tree? is it some kind of disease/pests? and what should i do if it is since I really want to save this tree.

[Rory]

Looks like Cedrus Deodara. Firstly, it doesn't look sick to me at all. Chances are it was among other stock and blocked by sun, or has suffered lack of water or overwatering at some point, which can produce die back. It looks quite healthy at the moment. Generally, this species if it is drastically unwell, then you will see the needles turning yellow / brown, but considering the main lower section and middle is perfectly green, I would say there is nothing wrong with it at all.

Full sun / Part sun should see it do well. Often these species when they are clumped together in a nursery, the sections of each one that are blocked from sun will die back and can often give you fantastic bonsai stock as a result.

If it is Deodara, be careful with wiring, you will easily scar the tree. Best to use anchoring technique to the pot for styling. Do not heavily cut this back or prune a lot of foliage, or you may kill the tree. Gradual pruning over years is what you want with stock such as this.

[time8theuniverse]

I think its a cedar of some kind going by the needles and bark.

The bark looks fine. Its starting to show some age, which is good.

Its recovering from stress and the die back up top. With all the new needles back budding on the trunk goes to show this. If you can keep it in full sun and keep a careful eye on the moister you might even get more back budding, which will help get more options to make thing happen quicker.

Nice tree.

You should start reading up on what's the best time to prune to be ready to shorten some branches. It has a nice heavy movement to the left in the 3rd picture for a windswept or an exposed mountain top tree . I wouldn't cut off any dead branch yet as you might be able to use them as a feature later on.

As a guess I would think re-potting should be on the list of things to do. It has probably been in that pot for a while to be in the bargain bin. You should read up on the best time and technique to do this, as I have read they can be sensitive (I've killed some feral pines going too hard at them ).

[Andrew Legg]

Cedrus deodora for sure 100% Also called Himalayan Cedar, and I'd agree that its looking pretty happy now, although it's clearly had a tough time in the not too distant past.

[Teddy]

thanks so much everyone. now i know what to do with this tree.

[Andrew Legg]

thanks so much everyone. now i know what to do with this tree.

Whatever you do, be very careful about wire bite. They can put on girth quickly and wire bite can ruin a tree forever!