Chinese Elm dying?

elm77

I have a 60+ year old Chinese Elm out back that has had some issues the last few years. Two Falls ago it lost a huge section in a windstorm. Last year it lost another decent sized chunk off the top in a Summertime severe thunderstorm. So, basically it lost about 30-40% of the tree over the last few years.

Anyway, this year the tree budded as normal, and then went on to produce an enormous amount of seeds. Last week all of the sees blew off of the tree, leaving the tree almost completely bare. What's left are a few patches of very small leaves. Other Chinese Elms around the neighborhood are fully leafed out already. I wasn't too concerned until I noticed there aren't any buds on the branches. Why would the tree produce so many seeds, and then go on not to leaf out? Is this a sign that the tree is dying?

elm77

Woops, it's actually a Siberian Elm, not Chinese Elm.

elm77

Update:

Like I said above it's actually a Siberian Elm. Anyway, the tree ended up leafing out normally by the end of May. It was far later than normal, which is especially surprising given the unseasonal warmth we had in the spring. Even though I couldn't see any buds they must have been there, or sprung back very quickly after I had looked at them. Apparently the act of having such an enormous seed crop must have stunned the tree to the point that it was several weeks behind other similar Siberian Elms around the neighborhood.

Brent Ferris

Typically if a tree loses a significant amount of the crown, it will produce more seed. However, last year was there not a significant amount of rain during the growing season? If so, then the flower buds set last spring survived, despite a lot of the crown being lost. And I believe this spring was somewhat droughty April, May after a lower than normal snowfall winter. Flower development comes first in Siberian and Chinese Elms (before leaves), as does seed development in Siberian Elm. Quite likely the loss of the crown resulted in smaller reserves of energy stores for the following year, and the flower/fruit production severely depleted these stores. THis, along with the dry spring, delayed bud break for the leaves. THe leaf buds are small, and not easily seen.

Siberian Elm is known for branch breakage. You should have an arborist in to check the health and welfare of the tree.

Lucywu2012

I don't think the old tree will die, I suggest the old tree just like normal trees, it must grow more seeds.As we all know, the old tree suffered a big paiful, but it still growing. It's great, isn't it?

TreeSpecialist

Siberian elm is also known for it relatively short life.

It is most likely dying on you right now.

Removal may soon be in order.

__________________

Brent Ferris

How long do Siberian Elms last in Texas? In Ontario, they live around 60 - 90 years. And we probably don't have as much ice damage as Texas does.