Uneven leaf growth on Service Berry Tree - Ask Extension
Hi, We have a service berry tree we planted three years ago and I'm wondering if there's something wrong with it. Every year the leaves are relativel...
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Uneven leaf growth on Service Berry Tree #878503
Asked July 23, 2024, 9:14 PM EDT
Hi,
We have a service berry tree we planted three years ago and I'm wondering if there's something wrong with it. Every year the leaves are relatively small and around the end of July some of the leaves on the ends of the branches get much bigger. I think they should all be bigger. Is there something deficient happening that's preventing the leaves from all getting large? If so, what can I do?
We've only fertilized it once last year with liquid miracle grow. I've attached a photo to show you the uneven leave growth.
thank-you for your help,
Wendy DeBord
Weld County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi, Wendy,
Thank you for reaching out to the Weld County Master Gardeners with your question.
It can seem unusual to see leaves that grow at different rates and to different sizes within the same tree. However, it should not be a cause for concern. It could be caused by one of two things. First, is just a difference in the access to resources/nutrients throughout the tree.
A tree's vascular system works differently than in animals. Whereas, an animals vascular system takes all its nutrients in at one location and evenly distributes it throughout the body via our various blood vessels, a plants isn't that sophisticated. The way a tree's vascular system works is that certain nutrients picked up directly below a leaf/branch by the root system goes directly to that leaf/branch. So, if one side of a tree is getting more of that one nutrient than another side of the tree, the leaves directly above that area will show signs of added nutrients, such as growing bigger.
In the case of your leaves, it could be that certain nutrients are available to that area's roots/leaves more than others. It could also be access to sun, which would make a lot of sense here. The leaves on the outside of the tree are getting more sun than the leaves on the inside of the tree, especially in the height of our summer in June/July.
Although there does seem to be a difference in nutrient access, it doesn't seem like any of the leaves have a deficiency. Deficiencies are usually indicated by leaf loss, discoloration, or malformation. Therefore, I do not recommend changing your fertilizing. That could cause more harm than good.
The second possibility is that your tree might be a hybrid. The genetics in hybrids aren't always the same across a tree, so some traits may be showing up in certain areas and not others. Again, not a point of concern.
So, long story short, I wouldn't worry about it. It shouldn't be a sign of something wrong with your tree.
Hope this helps and please let us know if you have any further questions!
Sara
Thank you for reaching out to the Weld County Master Gardeners with your question.
It can seem unusual to see leaves that grow at different rates and to different sizes within the same tree. However, it should not be a cause for concern. It could be caused by one of two things. First, is just a difference in the access to resources/nutrients throughout the tree.
A tree's vascular system works differently than in animals. Whereas, an animals vascular system takes all its nutrients in at one location and evenly distributes it throughout the body via our various blood vessels, a plants isn't that sophisticated. The way a tree's vascular system works is that certain nutrients picked up directly below a leaf/branch by the root system goes directly to that leaf/branch. So, if one side of a tree is getting more of that one nutrient than another side of the tree, the leaves directly above that area will show signs of added nutrients, such as growing bigger.
In the case of your leaves, it could be that certain nutrients are available to that area's roots/leaves more than others. It could also be access to sun, which would make a lot of sense here. The leaves on the outside of the tree are getting more sun than the leaves on the inside of the tree, especially in the height of our summer in June/July.
Although there does seem to be a difference in nutrient access, it doesn't seem like any of the leaves have a deficiency. Deficiencies are usually indicated by leaf loss, discoloration, or malformation. Therefore, I do not recommend changing your fertilizing. That could cause more harm than good.
The second possibility is that your tree might be a hybrid. The genetics in hybrids aren't always the same across a tree, so some traits may be showing up in certain areas and not others. Again, not a point of concern.
So, long story short, I wouldn't worry about it. It shouldn't be a sign of something wrong with your tree.
Hope this helps and please let us know if you have any further questions!
Sara
