My trees are dying. - Ask Extension
I’ve already lost one smoke tree. Two others are showing signs of disease as well. A maple tree is now showing signs of infection. Did you want to ...
Knowledgebase
My trees are dying. #875633
Asked July 02, 2024, 11:26 AM EDT
I’ve already lost one smoke tree. Two others are showing signs of disease as well. A maple tree is now showing signs of infection. Did you want to send an expert or should I just find a commercial agent to assess the problem? My neighbor also is losing trees.
Washtenaw County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi Christopher. Thank you for your inquiry.
Smoke Tree (Cotinus spp.) is relatively resistant to most diseases; nor are they particularly susceptible to insect infestation. The only pest of serious concern is San Jose Scale, which is a small sap-sucking insect that can kill limbs or entire trees if left uncontrolled. You see these guys on the limbs. See the link below.
https://plantaddicts.com/smoke-tree-pests/
The only major diseases that can afflict Smoke Trees are fungal diseases, like leaf spot, rust, and Verticillium Wilt. Verticillium Wilt is a soil-borne fungal disease that is usually fatal. Maples and other trees are also affected by this disease.
Since this disease resides in the soil, I'm wondering if the smoke tree you lost was planted in the same area as this one. The link below will give you information on this disease:
https://plantaddicts.com/smoke-tree-diseases/
As the disease progresses you may see cankers, elongated dead areas of bark on the trunks or branches. Cankers are wounds. See the link below.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/cankers-on-trees.htm
Is the image of the tall tree with a sparse canopy your maple tree? If so, it looks to be pretty far gone, perhaps due to verticillium wilt as well. All I see on the image of the maple leaf is some black spots on the very edges. This could be drought stress or the start of another fungal disease called anthracnose.
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/maple-anthracnose
Because you are seeing problems with both your smoke tree and your maple, the best thing to do at this point for diagnosing and treating your trees is to consult a certified arborist. An arborist is a certified and generally insured expert in trees and their problems. He or she can examine your trees and make recommendations regarding their health, any needed judicial pruning, and whether or not (in his opinion) either of them should be removed. Hiring a certified arborist will ensure that you are getting a knowledgeable and qualified tree specialist. You can find a certified arborist in your area here:
http://www.treesaregood.org/
Click on "Find an Arborist" at the top of the page; then click on United States from the pull-down menu. Then enter your State and City. This should bring up a list of certified arborists nearest to you. Or you may be able to locate one under "Tree Services" in your local Yellow Pages. Eevery tree and situation is a little different and in this case, an on-site arborist is the safest and most effective way to figure out what's going on with your trees.
Smoke Tree (Cotinus spp.) is relatively resistant to most diseases; nor are they particularly susceptible to insect infestation. The only pest of serious concern is San Jose Scale, which is a small sap-sucking insect that can kill limbs or entire trees if left uncontrolled. You see these guys on the limbs. See the link below.
https://plantaddicts.com/smoke-tree-pests/
The only major diseases that can afflict Smoke Trees are fungal diseases, like leaf spot, rust, and Verticillium Wilt. Verticillium Wilt is a soil-borne fungal disease that is usually fatal. Maples and other trees are also affected by this disease.
Since this disease resides in the soil, I'm wondering if the smoke tree you lost was planted in the same area as this one. The link below will give you information on this disease:
https://plantaddicts.com/smoke-tree-diseases/
As the disease progresses you may see cankers, elongated dead areas of bark on the trunks or branches. Cankers are wounds. See the link below.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/cankers-on-trees.htm
Is the image of the tall tree with a sparse canopy your maple tree? If so, it looks to be pretty far gone, perhaps due to verticillium wilt as well. All I see on the image of the maple leaf is some black spots on the very edges. This could be drought stress or the start of another fungal disease called anthracnose.
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/maple-anthracnose
Because you are seeing problems with both your smoke tree and your maple, the best thing to do at this point for diagnosing and treating your trees is to consult a certified arborist. An arborist is a certified and generally insured expert in trees and their problems. He or she can examine your trees and make recommendations regarding their health, any needed judicial pruning, and whether or not (in his opinion) either of them should be removed. Hiring a certified arborist will ensure that you are getting a knowledgeable and qualified tree specialist. You can find a certified arborist in your area here:
http://www.treesaregood.org/
Click on "Find an Arborist" at the top of the page; then click on United States from the pull-down menu. Then enter your State and City. This should bring up a list of certified arborists nearest to you. Or you may be able to locate one under "Tree Services" in your local Yellow Pages. Eevery tree and situation is a little different and in this case, an on-site arborist is the safest and most effective way to figure out what's going on with your trees.
Thank you for your response. I am in contact with an Arborist.
On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 1:46 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thanks for letting me know. It's good you plan to consult an arborist.
