Fineline Buckthorn shrub - Ask Extension
Why is my buckthorn so thin and sparse at the bottom? There is new growth but as you can see I have dead branches (I didn’t trim yet - for photo). ...
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Fineline Buckthorn shrub #876428
Asked July 08, 2024, 8:01 PM EDT
Why is my buckthorn so thin and sparse at the bottom? There is new growth but as you can see I have dead branches (I didn’t trim yet - for photo). How can I get them to be full and healthy
They are established- planted 4-5 years ago
These get sun most of the day. I also have some that are planted by a fence and get sun 60-70% of day with afternoon shade. They are similar in being too leggy. Thank you in advance
Trumbull County Ohio
Expert Response
From the photos, I do not see any discoloring or curling of the leaves which could be an indication of a rust. Upon zooming in on the plants along the fence, there appears to be white bumps on the trunk. Have you observed anything like that? The bumps may be scale which are mostly immobile insects which insert needle-like mouth-parts into host plants to withdraw sap. Scales also secrete a clear sticky substance called honeydew.
I found a related question referring to scale on Fineline Buckthorn which has good information and listed it below. The scale in the picture does not look like what I saw, but that may be due to different variety.
https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=831165
General information on scale is available in the website below.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/scale-insects
You may wish to contact an ISA Certified Arborist who would make an onsite visit and possibly be able to diagnose the problem and suggest a management program. You can locate such an expert on trees in your area at:
https://www.treesaregood.org/
I hope this helps you and you will be able to resolve the issue with your trees and receive many more years of enjoyment from them.
I found a related question referring to scale on Fineline Buckthorn which has good information and listed it below. The scale in the picture does not look like what I saw, but that may be due to different variety.
https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=831165
General information on scale is available in the website below.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/scale-insects
You may wish to contact an ISA Certified Arborist who would make an onsite visit and possibly be able to diagnose the problem and suggest a management program. You can locate such an expert on trees in your area at:
https://www.treesaregood.org/
I hope this helps you and you will be able to resolve the issue with your trees and receive many more years of enjoyment from them.
