Tree defoliation - Ask Extension
Hi, I'm finding that I have ornamental apple trees, ornamental weeping cherry trees, and my Himalayan birch tree, are all defoliating. The ornamental ...
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Tree defoliation #869284
Asked May 20, 2024, 2:21 PM EDT
Hi, I'm finding that I have ornamental apple trees, ornamental weeping cherry trees, and my Himalayan birch tree, are all defoliating. The ornamental apples have done this the past 2 years during the spring. They leaf out and bloom beautifully, the leaves turn dark and fall off with the exception of the top 10% of the canopy, and then they leaf back out and look beautiful for the rest of the year. But with the addition of the weeping cherries and now my Himalayan birch, I'm not sure what is really going on. On the two ornamental fruit tree varieties, the leaves are there and then darken and fall off. On the Himalayan birch tree however, the leaves look like they're being stripped. There's just no evidence of a leaf being there anymore and the branches are starting to arch instead of being more vertical. I've looked over these trees with a fine tooth comb and can find no eggs, insects, and so I'm at a loss. In totality I have six trees in my yard that are being affected. The maples and dogwoods don't seem to be having any issues. Any idea what could be causing this?
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Yvette and thanks for your question about your ornamental plants defoliating. It sounds a lot like a freezing event, with the leaves turning black and the trees recovering. We did have a late frost this year and ornamental trees can be sensitive. However, I would expect the top 10 percent of the canopy to also be affected.
I think I would call an ISA certified arborist (they usually consult for free and charge for procedures). They will come out and look at the trees and may be able to spot something you are missing.
Here's a site to locate one near you. It is often worth getting several opinions from different companies.
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch
Good luck,
I think I would call an ISA certified arborist (they usually consult for free and charge for procedures). They will come out and look at the trees and may be able to spot something you are missing.
Here's a site to locate one near you. It is often worth getting several opinions from different companies.
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch
Good luck,