prolific leafdrop on naturestrip chinese elm

grandma2.03

Hi, we have a chinese elm planted by the council on our nature strip (10yrs old) that will neither die or 'fire up'. I think it has displayed a normal healthy sprout of leaves maybe twice in that time and has grown in actual size but is never...healthy looking. I cannot see any bugs or evident fungus but all (bar a small amount) of the leaves yellow and drop. Once they hit the ground they turn a silvery colour; there are always new leaves appearing on the tips of the branches only. I have contacted the council, who say the tree is semi deciduous and that it is ok. (dont think they ever really checked?) Rest of the garden is healthy, and all other elms in street are lush! Its horrible!! PLEASE HELP.
Kind regards

Jeff Darby

Unfortunately for you this tree is public property, council is there's to do what they please within good arboricultural practice to maintain it health, they actually look after it on your behalf being that you are a resident of the muncipality.

Council arborist once brought to there attention will monitor this tree and it's state of health for a period of time before any decision is made to what action to take if any.

On the other hand you could, as a suggestion, have a go at helping this tree regain its vigor by regulary watering it and placing a small mulch ring around it's base, leaving approx 100mm from from the base of the trunk to the edge of the mulch at around 100mm thick of chunky mulch.

This might not be the answer you were looking for but it's the best I can do given it's location.

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© Jeffrey J Darby 2011

grandma2.03

Thankyou for replying- even if it isnt what I was hoping for...(as you said) I was hoping for some kind of miraculous cure really I think? I do water generously and there is mulch as you described. I reckon (in my uneducated wisdom) that it could be fungal? But anyway..heres hoping it fires up?
Kind regards.

Jeff Darby

Hi,
It does sound like something is at play here, but its hard to comment without pictures of the tree maybe then we could shed a little more light. No promises though.
Sometimes trees on the verge simply do not flourish, You need to think of it like this you have a size 15 foot in size 6 shoes, services, local dogs using for convenience etc...etc all not good for the tree, or trees in that matter.

__________________

Member: Australian Tree Association

Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard !

Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others

© Jeffrey J Darby 2011

Sunraysia Tree Solutions

One suggestion I could make is an application of a seaweed based solution, Seasol is my preffered type. Dont expect results straight away 3 months is about the earliest I would expect to see some improvement, also take some pictures and some samples along to your local nursery and ask a qualified horticulturalist to give their opinion as to whether it has a fungal problem. Both my suggestions will cost you time but hopefully not a lot of money ?

grandma2.03

Thanks and I will certainly give it a shot
Kind regards