Chinese Pistache struggling - Ask Extension
Planted this tree 2.5 years ago and it's been fine until now. It had two small branches with leaves turning earlier last week. Then in a matter of two...
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Chinese Pistache struggling #878224
Asked July 22, 2024, 11:01 AM EDT
Planted this tree 2.5 years ago and it's been fine until now. It had two small branches with leaves turning earlier last week. Then in a matter of two days the entire tree turned yellow with curled leaves and brown tips. It gets enough sun despite being close to the mature oak because the oak leans sharply away. I gave it Osmocote in April and have been watering it along with the grass, which has been 9 minutes every early morning since it got hot. I thought that was enough since it isn't a newly planted tree. Last year it was fine to just go with the lawn water schedule. What is wrong and how do I fix it?
Oklahoma County Oklahoma
Expert Response
Hello Sarah. This is Tom. I am a Master Gardener in Oklahoma County which is why I am answering your question. I have read your email and looked at the pictures. The yellow curled leaves with a brown tip is consistent with verticillium wilt, a fungal disease that kills Chinese pistache in our area. I think that is the cause of the situation you face. There is no treatment.
If you want a more definitive diagnosis, you can cut off a whole limb and bring it with leaves attached to the Oklahoma County Extension Office at 2500 NE 63rd Street in OKC and someone in the Resource Center can help you with diagnosis. I will be there tomorrow afternoon.
Thank you for you email. You can always call the Oklahoma County Master Gardener Resource Center at<personal data hidden> for help or come by at the address above.
Tom
If you want a more definitive diagnosis, you can cut off a whole limb and bring it with leaves attached to the Oklahoma County Extension Office at 2500 NE 63rd Street in OKC and someone in the Resource Center can help you with diagnosis. I will be there tomorrow afternoon.
Thank you for you email. You can always call the Oklahoma County Master Gardener Resource Center at<personal data hidden> for help or come by at the address above.
Tom
Thank you so much for your reply. If it is verticillium wilt, does that mean the soil is infected? If this tree is dead, I'd love to replace it with a redbud but don't know if that will just get infected.
Hello Sarah. This is Tom. Verticillium species that cause plant disease are soilborne. The fungus verticillium will be in the soil as long as there is a susceptible plant it can infect and Redbud is one of those plants. Other plants that are susceptible include maple, fig, ash, hibiscus, apple, peach and other members of the Rose family, elm and others. If you decide to plant one of the above it is advised that you plant a cultivar that is resistant to Verticillium. That may be difficult to find.
I still suggest that you cut a branch about 2-3 feet long and bring it to the Oklahoma County extension and let someone there advise you for sure if Verticillium is indeed the culprit.
Thank you for your email.
Tom
I still suggest that you cut a branch about 2-3 feet long and bring it to the Oklahoma County extension and let someone there advise you for sure if Verticillium is indeed the culprit.
Thank you for your email.
Tom
Thank you so much, Tom! I dropped off a sample today!
- Sarah
