Yellowing leaves on trees, possible scorch or ?? HELP

[Baby Blues]

I have 2 trees with the same issue, leaves that are yellowing (even the new growth is doing this now) and some scorch. It seems to be getting worse in the last week or two, despite the temperature dropping to around 100.

I don't even know what type of trees these are, but at first I thought it was just scorch from the excessive heat we had here last month(115-119 for a week or two). Now I am not sure that is the cause.

I haven't been here in Arizona (Lake Havasu area) very long, so I don't know much about tree care here. While these trees haven't been given fertilizer ever, I don't know if that is the reason for this problem.

Both trees are the same kind, and both have been in my mom's yard for several years so they should be acclimated. There has been no changes to the landscaping, so not related to that.


I need help, because it is getting worse. I don't know what to do. Any help is appreciated, my mother can't afford to lose these trees!

I have attached a couple of pictures and can take more if needed. Thanks for any and all help.

Sue

 

[Urban Forester]

The "two-tone" appearance of the leaves SUGGESTS the possibilty of the tree lacking a specific nutrient. It could be as simple as nitrogen, or a more "micro nutrient" OR it could be the tree has suffered through a tough year and is simply "drained" of energy. I would do a couple things 1) Talk to a neighbor that has lived there awhile. See if they have any knowledge of the trees doing this before. 2) Do a soil test. They are offered through your land grant university (extension service) about 10 or 20 bucks. It will give you and idea on what nutrients are there and what your tree needs or more importanly what it DOESN'T need. Fertilizer is not always the answer. Then hire a Certified Arborist to read the test and make recommendations based on the results. Good Luck!

 

[Raintree]

The "two-tone" appearance of the leaves SUGGESTS the possibilty of the tree lacking a specific nutrient. It could be as simple as nitrogen, or a more "micro nutrient" OR it could be the tree has suffered through a tough year and is simply "drained" of energy. I would do a couple things 1) Talk to a neighbor that has lived there awhile. See if they have any knowledge of the trees doing this before. 2) Do a soil test. They are offered through your land grant university (extension service) about 10 or 20 bucks. It will give you and idea on what nutrients are there and what your tree needs or more importanly what it DOESN'T need. Fertilizer is not always the answer. Then hire a Certified Arborist to read the test and make recommendations based on the results. Good Luck!

I agree with Urban, the plant is lacking something. Leaning towards micro nutrient.

Here is a pic of manganese deficient leaves.

 

[Ed Roland]

Gary and Rain may very well be correct. My disclaimer is that I am always right. Unless I'm not. :msp_wink: Here is my $.02.

Tree presents symptoms this season and they progress. Seems acute.

Personally, i no longer subscribe to the nutrient deficiency visual assessment keys. They are outdated and based on myth. The very same elements proposed to cause chlorosis when deficient cause chlorosis when over-abundant. Those keys may be helpful to agronomist but fall short in the arena of aboriculture.

Is there a pool nearby? How does one separate calcium hypochlorite pollution from a nute deficiency/overabundance? Tests!

Have a certified plant health specialist out to slueth the cause of this intervienal chlorosis. For less than a car payment you could have some definitive answers.

 

[Baby Blues]

Thank you for the responses, I did contact the local AZ Extension, and they suggested this was chlorosis, and to use liquid Chelated Iron on the trees. I spoke to the local lanscape garden supply guy, who agreed this is common with the local soils and desert environment.

I am hoping this clears up the problems, will post back to let you know.

Thanks Again,

Sue

 

[Raintree]

Sue, thanks for the follow up post with new info. It's rare to get a thank you or any conformation on forum members suggestions.

 

[Baby Blues]

Gary and Rain may very well be correct. My disclaimer is that I am always right. Unless I'm not. :msp_wink: Here is my $.02.

Tree presents symptoms this season and they progress. Seems acute.

Personally, i no longer subscribe to the nutrient deficiency visual assessment keys. They are outdated and based on myth. The very same elements proposed to cause chlorosis when deficient cause chlorosis when over-abundant. Those keys may be helpful to agronomist but fall short in the arena of aboriculture.

Is there a pool nearby? How does one separate calcium hypochlorite pollution from a nute deficiency/overabundance? Tests!

Have a certified plant health specialist out to slueth the cause of this intervienal chlorosis. For less than a car payment you could have some definitive answers.

Thanks for the reply Ed,

There isn't a pool nearby, but I have a neighbor whose tree is starting to display the same problem, although in a very limited amount.

The problem according to the local landscape supply guy is that both the water here is very hard, and the soil is very lacking in nutrients, and is known to cause this chlorosis. I didn't know this until I went to pick up the Chelated Iron liquid after the very helpful lady from the Az Extension service suggested the Iron supplement.

I would love to be able to afford a health plant specialist, but that is not possible. At this point, I and just hoping this works, and the trees recover.

I will definitely post again to let you all know how this turns out.

Thanks for taking the time to reply Ed, I really appreciate it :msp_smile: