Limes not looking at all well

owlman · 18th June 2008, 07:02 AM

Hi there, I live in England and more specific High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. I,m currently working on a large estate about 8 miles away and have noticed some very unhappy limes. They are Tilia x europea (Common lime) and a lot of the leaves are just curling up and many have died already. We have had plenty of rain recently so i,m ruling out drought but it is quite a mystery as to why they are like this. All the trees 3 in total are about 50-60ft tall and one of them ,the worst of all is on its own about 100 metres away from the other 2. I have attached some pics,(if I done it right) so if anyone has any ideas on the cause I would be very grateful.

Many thanks owlman

newguy18 · 18th June 2008, 09:37 AM

looks like under or over fertilization to me.maybe ven to much nitrate

Eric Frei · 18th June 2008, 10:30 AM

Can you describe or get a pic of the base and location of the trees.

Like are they in lawn?

Also if you look carefully it's interesting to note that where the leaf petiole is affected. It's likely then that this is fungal and coincides well with your warmer period. I don't see any evidence of damage to the leaf from insects however you might want to get some and have a close look with a magnifying glass. Also get a knife and dissect that stem where the browning is and see if there's any holes or insect marks.

The distance between the tree also means the disease can spread and isn't localized to something specific like watering or poisoning at one site.

Due to the volume of crown loss my gut feeling says it's not insects and if fungal treatment will be either a copper or sulphur based fungicide. For trees that size it's very hard to spray the entire canopy, you'd be looking for stem injections of a really good soluble fungicide. Trouble with a soil drench is killing any "good guys" that might be around.

Also do the standard PH tests of the soil.

Robert STAVROU · 18th June 2008, 06:22 PM

Afternoon, in your neck-of-the-woods is a gentleman by the name of Dave Evans (called Arborsomething), suggest you have a chat to him.

Sean Freeman · 18th June 2008, 06:58 PM

Its The Arbor Centre, in Bath....though if you catch David there you'll be very lucky indeed...he has more frequent flyer points than me!

owlman · 19th June 2008, 07:10 AM

Hi , thanks to all of you for your replies and good advice. I will be investigating the trees further as is my good friend Hugo Loudon of Heritage Trees. The trees are surrounded by grass to answer your question Ekka. I think you may be right about it being fungal. If it is then root injection is probably the only feasible solution.

I will try and contact Dave Evans and possibly Kew Gardens as well.

Thanks again for your help

If I find anything out will let you know

Cheers owlman

18th June 2008, 07:02 AM	#1
owlman Sappling Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: High Wycombe, Bucks Posts: 5	Limes not looking at all well Hi there, I live in England and more specific High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. I,m currently working on a large estate about 8 miles away and have noticed some very unhappy limes. They are Tilia x europea (Common lime) and a lot of the leaves are just curling up and many have died already. We have had plenty of rain recently so i,m ruling out drought but it is quite a mystery as to why they are like this. All the trees 3 in total are about 50-60ft tall and one of them ,the worst of all is on its own about 100 metres away from the other 2. I have attached some pics,(if I done it right) so if anyone has any ideas on the cause I would be very grateful. Many thanks owlman Attached Thumbnails

18th June 2008, 09:37 AM	#2
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,977	Re: Limes not looking at all well looks like under or over fertilization to me.maybe ven to much nitrate __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

18th June 2008, 10:30 AM	#3
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Limes not looking at all well Can you describe or get a pic of the base and location of the trees. Like are they in lawn? Also if you look carefully it's interesting to note that where the leaf petiole is affected. It's likely then that this is fungal and coincides well with your warmer period. I don't see any evidence of damage to the leaf from insects however you might want to get some and have a close look with a magnifying glass. Also get a knife and dissect that stem where the browning is and see if there's any holes or insect marks. The distance between the tree also means the disease can spread and isn't localized to something specific like watering or poisoning at one site. Due to the volume of crown loss my gut feeling says it's not insects and if fungal treatment will be either a copper or sulphur based fungicide. For trees that size it's very hard to spray the entire canopy, you'd be looking for stem injections of a really good soluble fungicide. Trouble with a soil drench is killing any "good guys" that might be around. Also do the standard PH tests of the soil. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

18th June 2008, 06:22 PM	#4
Robert STAVROU Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 56	Re: Limes not looking at all well Afternoon, in your neck-of-the-woods is a gentleman by the name of Dave Evans (called Arborsomething), suggest you have a chat to him. __________________ STAV

18th June 2008, 06:58 PM	#5
Sean Freeman Monument Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,985	Re: Limes not looking at all well Its The Arbor Centre, in Bath....though if you catch David there you'll be very lucky indeed...he has more frequent flyer points than me!

19th June 2008, 07:10 AM	#6
owlman Sappling Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: High Wycombe, Bucks Posts: 5	Re: Limes not looking at all well Hi , thanks to all of you for your replies and good advice. I will be investigating the trees further as is my good friend Hugo Loudon of Heritage Trees. The trees are surrounded by grass to answer your question Ekka. I think you may be right about it being fungal. If it is then root injection is probably the only feasible solution. I will try and contact Dave Evans and possibly Kew Gardens as well. Thanks again for your help If I find anything out will let you know Cheers owlman

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode