Maple tree blooming but blooms dying off

vasso 101 · 4th May 2007, 07:02 AM

Hello People.. this is my first post ever on this site and I am looking for some help with my maple tree. I live in northern MA and have a few maples on the property. One Maple in particular was the victim of crankworms or beatle Larve (same thing I believe) last year. The tree was all but defoliated but managed to bounce back later in the summer.. This year the tree bloomed but the blooms are starting to wilt and die off before the flowers actually turn into leaves... Any help would be much appreciated.. I would hate to loose the tree.

Ekka · 4th May 2007, 02:29 PM

Vasso

The pests you mentioned are what we call secondary predators taking advantage of a declining tree.

For instance, a vigourous healthy tree defends borers by flooding them out with sap, in effect drowning them.

So, what we know is the tree's not healthy, if new growth is wilting off perhaps no water or a damaged root system etc.

Hard to tell exactly, can you get some pictures.

The root system of a tree extends well beyond the drip line, roots go out more so than go down. So take a look at what's around this tree, lawn, building, new driveway or structure etc?

Also, by using the process of elimination the same as when a mechanic looks at your car when it wont start lets look at a few basics.

1/ Soil PH, test the soil PH in various locations around the tree, this is cheap and easy to do.

2/ Around the base fo the tree carefully (with hand trowel and hose) remove soil etc to see the root crown and trunk flare ... pull back maybe 2' all around and look for decay, fungal fruiting bodies etc.

3/ A drainage test, dig a few small holes around the tree, maybe only 6" deep and only as big as a bean can etc. Fill the hole with around 250ml of water and time how fast it disappears ... in a heavy clay it will take ages in a sandy soil it'll be gone as soon as you pour it.

So, let us know what the results are. But from experience I can comfortably say that most of the time it comes down to topographical factors so mulch, soil treatment and water usually solve the problem.

What has the weather and rainfall been like compared to usual and by the way ... how big is this tree, dia, height and spread?

Sean Freeman · 4th May 2007, 02:47 PM

Hi Vasso, as Ekka has said it would not normally be a serious problem for a healthy maple to cope with even repeated defoliation, tiiming of when the tree does lose its leaves is relevant as is the age of the tree is also important in judging just how well it can survive the loss of energy producing leaves, precisely at the time when the rest of its biology is gearing up for new flush of growth.

In addition to Ekka's questions can you tell us what sort of maple it is, and how many of your other trees are (if any) affected by the same insect pest. (Photos of the little critters would be good too but not essential)

osb_mail · 4th May 2007, 03:20 PM

I am not sure where are from but around here tree buds opened and then we got a deep freeze so that could be another factor to consider . Also flowers dont turn into leaves ,they do produce seed .

vasso 101 · 9th May 2007, 08:18 AM

Hey, thanks for the info.. you have all been a great help. I am going to first determine what kind of maple it is and than I will get a test kit and evaluate that soil. The tree has actaully sprouted leaves since I posted this message but I'm not fully convinced that the tree is in good health. I may even ask an arborist to swing by and take a look as well. Thanks a gain an I will keep you all posted....

4th May 2007, 07:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
vasso 101 I'm new here so be nice Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2	Maple tree blooming but blooms dying off Hello People.. this is my first post ever on this site and I am looking for some help with my maple tree. I live in northern MA and have a few maples on the property. One Maple in particular was the victim of crankworms or beatle Larve (same thing I believe) last year. The tree was all but defoliated but managed to bounce back later in the summer.. This year the tree bloomed but the blooms are starting to wilt and die off before the flowers actually turn into leaves... Any help would be much appreciated.. I would hate to loose the tree.

4th May 2007, 02:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,869	Vasso The pests you mentioned are what we call secondary predators taking advantage of a declining tree. For instance, a vigourous healthy tree defends borers by flooding them out with sap, in effect drowning them. So, what we know is the tree's not healthy, if new growth is wilting off perhaps no water or a damaged root system etc. Hard to tell exactly, can you get some pictures. The root system of a tree extends well beyond the drip line, roots go out more so than go down. So take a look at what's around this tree, lawn, building, new driveway or structure etc? Also, by using the process of elimination the same as when a mechanic looks at your car when it wont start lets look at a few basics. 1/ Soil PH, test the soil PH in various locations around the tree, this is cheap and easy to do. 2/ Around the base fo the tree carefully (with hand trowel and hose) remove soil etc to see the root crown and trunk flare ... pull back maybe 2' all around and look for decay, fungal fruiting bodies etc. 3/ A drainage test, dig a few small holes around the tree, maybe only 6" deep and only as big as a bean can etc. Fill the hole with around 250ml of water and time how fast it disappears ... in a heavy clay it will take ages in a sandy soil it'll be gone as soon as you pour it. So, let us know what the results are. But from experience I can comfortably say that most of the time it comes down to topographical factors so mulch, soil treatment and water usually solve the problem. What has the weather and rainfall been like compared to usual and by the way ... how big is this tree, dia, height and spread? __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

4th May 2007, 02:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,645	Hi Vasso, as Ekka has said it would not normally be a serious problem for a healthy maple to cope with even repeated defoliation, tiiming of when the tree does lose its leaves is relevant as is the age of the tree is also important in judging just how well it can survive the loss of energy producing leaves, precisely at the time when the rest of its biology is gearing up for new flush of growth. In addition to Ekka's questions can you tell us what sort of maple it is, and how many of your other trees are (if any) affected by the same insect pest. (Photos of the little critters would be good too but not essential) __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

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4th May 2007, 03:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
osb_mail Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 203	I am not sure where are from but around here tree buds opened and then we got a deep freeze so that could be another factor to consider . Also flowers dont turn into leaves ,they do produce seed .

9th May 2007, 08:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
vasso 101 I'm new here so be nice Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2	Hey, thanks for the info.. you have all been a great help. I am going to first determine what kind of maple it is and than I will get a test kit and evaluate that soil. The tree has actaully sprouted leaves since I posted this message but I'm not fully convinced that the tree is in good health. I may even ask an arborist to swing by and take a look as well. Thanks a gain an I will keep you all posted....