maple

[debreit]

We have lots of maples under 10 years old who have leaves that are curoing and yellowing (except for the veins). Some leaves are really curled and brown. Got any idea what migh be wrong? It has been very dry here.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Hvae someone do a soil test, sounds like an inablity to absorb some minor elements such as Fe & Mn.

Could be a pH problem or defficiancy in the soil or maybe the soils too wet and there are root problems.

 

[debreit]

Definately not over watering. We are really suffering drought and we don't have sprinklers. The leaves at the very end of each branch are stunted and never really grew to full size. The bigger maples don't look too bad, just some leaves on the very top.

 

[treeclimber165]

Try digging a small hole near the dripline. If the soil is baked dry 6"-12" deep, that could explain the decline. Larger trees have more reserves and can draw on stored reserves better than small trees.

 

[debreit]

It looks like pictures of Verticillium Wilt, does that come from draught?

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Vert wilt could have fpound an opertunity from the drought if the tree was fighting it off previously.

This is one of those thing where we are gussing at. Realy needs a first hand look. Maples can get crown dieback from a number of things.

But the stunted leaves speak of a root problem that is abiotic. How does the root crown apear?

 

[debreit]

Paul I don't know what the root crown is. I found the pictures of vert wilt looking for pictures of DED (by the way the tree with DED has finally come down). Tell me what to look for.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Crown or flair, the transition between root and trunk.

In a naturaly seeded tree, or on properly plnated the flair is noticable above ground. If the tree looks like a post in the ground, it could be planted too deep or hav had the grade raised durring construction.

If the flair is present on one side, but flatens out on another, there could be a girdling root. The tree choking its own vascular system. Some trees cab graft to the root readily but many maples wont. The grade problems mentioned can lead to girdling root, as can improper nursery or planting techniques.

All this can cause thinning and dieback in the crown too.

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