Has my neighbour killed my tree?

[Jonty]

I planted a Christmas tree 25 years ago in my garden when it was about 18 inches high. Now it is about 20 feet high but the top two-thirds is more or less dead. It is about two feet from the fence and gets the full sun from the south.

Now back in about October my neighbour came round one Sunday afternoon rather aggitated. He is a bit strange so I wasn't too concerned. He said that there were branches from the tree on his side - been like that for years in fact - anyway, I told him he was welcome to cut them back. A couple of days later he had done just that.

Now it might be coincidence but the tree is dying now. OK, we did have a very hot summer and the plants and bushes by the tree are OK, but why is the tree dying?

[jordanabc2332]

I believe if you dont "prune" the branches in the correct manner, they can get infected. I'm not an expert, but I remember buying this spray to help in the healing process after cutting branches.

I could be completely wrong about this.

[Jonty]

Only a couple of branches were lopped off, I don't think that would kill a tree of this size. I'm thinking more like poison?

[thekingofpain]

Have you heard of Bark Beetles in your neck of the woods?
Maybe a local Ag extension or arborist can assist?

Sounds like bark beetle if large branches or the top half of the tree has discolored needles it may be dieing from the infestation, you cant see them as they are very small like a flea but VERY deadly to trees, especially conifers---
The worst thing is one tree infected can infect literally 1000's of healthy trees around it, it has killed millions of trees in California---if it indeed has bark beetles it will need to be cut down, chipped, then they usually burn whats leftover...

Not sure if Bark Beetle is in England so you are gonna have to ask someone that knows better---could also be a fungal problem, or maybe your neighbor is washing lye or or something worse into the soil on his side of the fence (doubtful)

[Jonty]

Hmm... I'll take a closer look tomorrow morning for beetles or whatever.

I have another fairly tall conifer (different type) about 30 feet from this one, that is OK.

Thanks for the tip.

[whitebeard21]

look near the ground for very small sawdust extrusions around the circumference of the tree. Usually about the size of a pencil eraser. If they are there it is too late to save Take it down and spray all surrounding trees.

[Gomer]

Copper will kill a tree I believe.

[Jonty]

Couldn't see anything suspicious on the trunk or base of the tree, there are just two branches of the tree still alive.

Here are some pictures I took today.

[Jonty]

Best picture I could get.