Golden Chain Tree - Ask Extension
I have had my tree this is year 2. Each year about this time the leaves are curling and dying. Any ideas as to why? Is it getting to much water?
Knowledgebase
Golden Chain Tree #878915
Asked July 26, 2024, 2:08 PM EDT
I have had my tree this is year 2. Each year about this time the leaves are curling and dying. Any ideas as to why? Is it getting to much water?
Marion County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear June,
Thank you for contacting us about your golden chain tree (Laburnum x watereri). When a plant gets too much water it generally has the same reaction as when it gets too little water. That is, leaves yellow and wilt.
With the dry leaf margins, your tree appears to be suffering from sun scorch. Golden chain tree is a naturally occurring species that is native to central Europe. It's native range equates to USDA Zones: 5B-7. It prefers mild temperatures and may be reacting to our hot and dry weather.
While the tree is generally grown in full sun, it would probably benefit from afternoon shade. It might do well in some dappled shade from a much larger shade tree.
These trees are tolerant of most soil pH, but it does like moist, well-drained soil. Test your soil for dryness every few days by pushing your finger about 2-inches into the soil, or use the screwdriver test:
https://youtu.be/HrZNPaBtmtw
Enrich the soil with finished compost (up to 1-inch per year across the surface of the root zone.) Top it off with a 3-inch mulch of organic material.
Golden rain trees do tend to have an assortment of pest and disease problems in Europe. I do not see any evidence of this from your photos, bu if you find any signs of these, please let me know. The damage usually starts in one area of the plant and then moves out from there.
I hope this information is helpful. Please write whenever you have a gardening question.
Thank you for contacting us about your golden chain tree (Laburnum x watereri). When a plant gets too much water it generally has the same reaction as when it gets too little water. That is, leaves yellow and wilt.
With the dry leaf margins, your tree appears to be suffering from sun scorch. Golden chain tree is a naturally occurring species that is native to central Europe. It's native range equates to USDA Zones: 5B-7. It prefers mild temperatures and may be reacting to our hot and dry weather.
While the tree is generally grown in full sun, it would probably benefit from afternoon shade. It might do well in some dappled shade from a much larger shade tree.
These trees are tolerant of most soil pH, but it does like moist, well-drained soil. Test your soil for dryness every few days by pushing your finger about 2-inches into the soil, or use the screwdriver test:
https://youtu.be/HrZNPaBtmtw
Enrich the soil with finished compost (up to 1-inch per year across the surface of the root zone.) Top it off with a 3-inch mulch of organic material.
Golden rain trees do tend to have an assortment of pest and disease problems in Europe. I do not see any evidence of this from your photos, bu if you find any signs of these, please let me know. The damage usually starts in one area of the plant and then moves out from there.
I hope this information is helpful. Please write whenever you have a gardening question.
