juniper tree

Gardening Richard

I have an established (10yrs+)what i am told is juniper/fir tree.I have been tending it for the last two year or so.A tarmac driveway was put down,just prior to this period,heavy duty plastic sheet was placed over the area of this garden and slates pebbles laid over for keep weeds down,this has the efdfect of keeping off rainfall as surface water runs off the sheeting into the tarmac area of the drive.In the last two years the prickly tree about 2m tall has basically become brown and is failing fast it seems,parting the foliage the inner leaves appear a very pale green still,I was advised to water.last weekend i did for about 8 hours to soak the roots.any further advise?

Tropical Sam

"...heavy duty plastic sheet was placed over the area of this garden and slates pebbles laid over for keep weeds down..."

Plants need air around their roots as well as water. The plastic is keeping rain and air from getting to the roots. It is also stopping excess water from evapourating, so the roots may be rotting in winter and dry in summer. I would remove the plant and use pots in future.