Question about a tree from a new homeowner.

Darder

We bought our house last year, and this year we noticed one of our trees wasn't growing leaves everywhere like the others on our property. Many of the branches, even the main one look plain dead. Upon closer inspection the leaves look like they have stuff growing on them.

I live in Manassas, Virginia zipcode 20110

I'd like to know:
1) what kind of tree it is, I think its some kind of oak?
2) The stuff growing on the leaves, is it some kind of infections fungus or something?
3) Is this why my tree looks like its dying?
4) Is my tree dying or is this just a natural cycle for this tree?
5)Should I be worried about the other trees nearby (they are all the same kind)?

Here are my pictures. Thanks

Attached Thumbnails

           

Darder

Well no replies here I'm just going to cut the whole thing down.

Thanks,

Bowani Siam

Hi,

It is hard to tell from the pics but it could be a Platanus or Maple. It looks like there is a fungus/rust on your tree. It has suffered severe dieback, probably from some other cause aside from the rust. It is in terrible shape, get rid of it. Don't replant with same species. Could very easily spread to other trees.

Eric Frei

Could be http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=gyC&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&q=verticillium+wilt+site%3Awww.treeworld.info&btnG=Search&oq=verticillium+wilt+site%3Awww.treeworld.info&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=14218l14745l0l2l2l0l0l0l0l321l519l0.1.0.1. Both oak and maple are on the hit list for that disease.

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Brent Ferris

Tree looks to be Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) with galls forming on the leaves - an insect infestation the tree usually tolerates. The species is prone to infection from a large number of insects and diseases -- if it survives the early years, it can usually keep going. Silver maples get to be about 100-120 ft high, with a crown spread about the same., Yours looks awful -- as said above, take it out and plant another tree of same or different species but nowhere near the same spot. Whatever (disease?) killed that tree probably still infects the soil, and without knowing the pathogen is tough to give more specific advice.

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gsward

I see anthracnose which is a disease. 2nd the leaf pimples are caused by a certain type of mite, not much to do here its cosmetic only. The die back might be a root disturbance, or soil problem. Any construction activities nearby? High ground water? Saturated soil? Compact soil? Saline/sodic soil? High pH? Do the roots grow under a drive or side walk?

Last summer were the leaves yellow on all or part of the tree?

gsward

Prune out dead branches. Take a soil test and adjust soil. Fertilize tree. Aerate/decompact soil under canopy.

Tree parentage I think predicts the trees outcome although species are the same. So if this tree is in decline does not neccessarily mean all the other Maples in your area will suffer the same maladies. Although the leaf pimples, are common on maples.

Darder

No construction, its an old neighborhood, house was built back in the 70's. Its on the side of a hill and we are not really in a flood plain. The sidewalk and road is at the bottom of the hill about 12 feet away.

From the other comments I think this tree is a lost cause and its kinda close to another tree of the same type so I think cutting it down is the best bet.

Thanks everyone.

gsward

Soil conditions may be on the other side of the spectrum then. Sounds like a good location, well drained soil, away from construction activities. Maybe soil is droughted then. Is your soil too dry? Soil test for salts, and pH. Is soil too hard? Is it rocky, loam, clay,...?

If too dry and if verticillium is present it usually shows itself as yellowing leaves in summer generally on part the tree. If you cut a branch and peel the cambial back you see off colored streaking.

Otherwise, maples also suffer winter die back. Prune the tree, correct/modify the soil conditions, fertilize, keep soil moist but not overly wet, light mulch, ...

The leaf color and size look healthy enough. Can winter deicing salts be getting around the tree? Maple roots grow laterally at least as long as the tree is in height.

It may be a lost tree but, If it were mine I would try to keep it going until it and if it is lost.