What should I do about my sad white oak tree on the boulevard?

Question: Hi!

We have a white oak tree the city of Minneapolis planted on our boulevard in the spring of 2021 after cutting down our sick ash tree in late spring 2020. That ash tree limped along for a long long time, but never thrived. I'm worried our oak tree is bound for the same fate! The city watered it for its first year once a month and I watered it weekly, but I fell off the watering in the summer of 2022, which, of course, was very dry. I'm looking for advice as to how to bring it back to full health. 

Also worth noting, we can't seem to grow grass or even clover or creeping charlie in the same boulevard patch. 

Also, there are 40-year-old railroad ties holding up our terraced garden across the sidewalk from the tree. We've wondered if there's a chemical in them that might be poisoning whatever grows on the boulevard? But everything growing in the terraced gardens has always thrived. 

I've attached pictures of the tree. Thank you for your help!

responder: Deb Kroon  Replied May 27, 2023, 9:56 AM EDT
response: Good morning Nicole and thank you for reaching out to ask2.extension. I would guess there may be something wrong with the soil your tree is in, especially if you can’t get anything to grow.  My suggestion would be to have a soil test done on the soil in the boulevard.  It could be a number of things from imbalance in the nutrients to salt or chemicals from snow removal to the possibility of your railroad ties.  It’s hard to say. If you go to Extension.umn.edu and search for soil testing.  Click on ‘Tests your soil this spring’ and read that article.  You will see University of Minnesota in red letters.  Click on that and you will be taken to a site that will go over with you where to get the forms,  how to do the test and where to send the soil sample.  I think if you want a tree in the boulevard you really need to do this. Good luck and I hope this will help solve your issues.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 27, 2023, 10:25 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much! In the meantime, should I trim the dead branches? On Sat, May 27, 2023 at 8:56 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Deb Kroon  Replied May 27, 2023, 10:47 AM EDT
response: You could, cutting them off as close to the tree as smoothly as you can. It honestly amazes me they planted a tree there at all.  There is so little room for the roots to spread out.  Looking at the pictures, I definitely think it’s a problem with the soil.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 27, 2023, 11:04 AM EDT
response: You're right--it is a super narrow boulevard, but there are trees all up and down the block that are doing really well! I think you're right, too, that it has to be the soil. I will definitely do the soil test. Cross your fingers for me! Thank you so much for your prompt reply and suggestions!!On Sat, May 27, 2023 at 9:48 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 27, 2023, 11:04 AM EDT
response: You're right--it is a super narrow boulevard, but there are trees all up and down the block that are doing really well! I think you're right, too, that it has to be the soil. I will definitely do the soil test. Cross your fingers for me! Thank you so much for your prompt reply and suggestions!!On Sat, May 27, 2023 at 9:48 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: