Knowledgebase

I am contacting you in regard to lilac trees #871883

Asked June 06, 2024, 12:43 PM EDT

I am contacting you in regard to lilac trees that appear to be dying - I hired Tru Green Lawn Company to help with weed control and some neglect of lawn by previous owners (I recently purchased home). The lilacs are well established and have bloomed the past three years since I purchased the home. I would say the lilacs are at least twenty years old. Within days of Tru Green treating the lawn for weeds the lilac trees appeared not just stressed but all the leaves curling. I contacted the company and they had a rep come out and look, he said it wasn’t their fault and that it looked like it was getting too much water. It hasn’t gotten any more water than any other time. I spoke with their office and she recommended a second opinion by an expert. So I am contacting you. I have several photos I can share with you. The company will replace if I can prove it was from their chemicals. I don’t know if you have someone in my area, Port Huron Mi, that can come and actually look at it…hoping you can help.tree

St. Clair County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello Letitia
Pictures here can not confirm what you need. And we are not staffed to make residential visits.
For a small fee you can submit the pictures ( include a well lighted clear picture of a damaged branch with several leaves) and branch samples to MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic lab. A Diagnostician  will evaluate the samples and give an opinion.
See instructions, fee schedule and sample submission form here. You can call the lab during business hours for questions about a submittal, to be sure tou send everything they will need.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/

In the case of herbicide drift injuries, the shrubs may recover. Do keep them watered when we hit droughty times this summer and fall. 
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/herbicide-damage-trees-and-shrubs/

You may also hire a certified arborist to come on site and evaluate the plants. Find them here by zip code search- http://www.treesaregood.org

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