Ailing redbud tree - Ask Extension
Hello! I planted an eastern redbud this past spring, and in the last couple of weeks the leaves have started turning brown and dropping.The tree looks...
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Ailing redbud tree #881017
Asked August 11, 2024, 12:36 PM EDT
Hello! I planted an eastern redbud this past spring, and in the last couple of weeks the leaves have started turning brown and dropping.The tree looks otherwise healthy. Is it possible that with all the rain this summer it has been overwatered? Or do the symptoms suggest another problem? Hoping there is some intervention we can do to keep it healthy. Thanks in advance for any info.
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
This could be canker in a young plant with poorly developed roots that is subject to stress of sun, heat. https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/whats-wrong-with-our-redbud/
It would be helpful to me to get a close up of the bottom 18 inches of the tree including where it enters the ground.
https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/comments/1co5rqx/girdling_root_on_redbud_planted_1_year_ago_local/
I would also like a closeup of any blackened pits, streaks on the bark.
Please send all photos in 3 MG files so that I can enlarge them.
This could be canker in a young plant with poorly developed roots that is subject to stress of sun, heat. https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/whats-wrong-with-our-redbud/
It would be helpful to me to get a close up of the bottom 18 inches of the tree including where it enters the ground.
https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/comments/1co5rqx/girdling_root_on_redbud_planted_1_year_ago_local/
I would also like a closeup of any blackened pits, streaks on the bark.
Please send all photos in 3 MG files so that I can enlarge them.
Thank you so much for the quick response. Photos are attached. The bark looks quite healthy—I don’t see any pitting or streaks—but I’ve included a photo of the trunk as well. Please let me know if you need any other information!
On Aug 11, 2024, at 11:54 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thank you for writing.
There are serious problems at the base of this tree. Its roots circle the trunk probably impeding nourishment.
There are possible areas of black canker at about 3 and 9 inches above the ground and possibly in the crevasses between roots.
Some garden stores will give you a replacement tree check with them.
Remove the bamboo pole.
An arborist might be able to help you cut the encircling roots
If you plant the next tree yourself, pay close attention to depth. This one was I am pretty sure planted too deep. https://www.plantingtree.com/blogs/gardening/redbud-tree-care
There are serious problems at the base of this tree. Its roots circle the trunk probably impeding nourishment.
There are possible areas of black canker at about 3 and 9 inches above the ground and possibly in the crevasses between roots.
Some garden stores will give you a replacement tree check with them.
Remove the bamboo pole.
An arborist might be able to help you cut the encircling roots
If you plant the next tree yourself, pay close attention to depth. This one was I am pretty sure planted too deep. https://www.plantingtree.com/blogs/gardening/redbud-tree-care
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your message. Given what you're seeing, do you think there's any hope for the tree? We planted it level with the soil we received it in, per the nursery's instructions. I can reach out to them to see if they're willing to replace it, but I'm wondering if there's anything we should try first. (I'm not sure what the expense would be for having an arborist try to cut the roots, so I"m wondering if that is worth it for such a young tree.)
Thanks again,
Jessica
Dear Ms. Knight,
My guess is something like this. The tree came in plastic pot. You dug a hole about 1.5 times the diameter of the plant coming out of the pot. You did not tear apart the root ball. The plant was slightly root bound. The hole was dry rather than pre watered.
You put the plant in so that the top of the soil in the plant match your ground, You filled in dirt and then watered.
How did I do above?
The plant sank a bit. but dirt flowed from the surrounding ground and so the plant sent off high roots--from up the trunk. The constrained roots below ground and the roots coming off the trunk above ground are tangle around the tree.
It is reasonably entertaining to fix this your self. See some Youtubes on stem girdling roots. I have spent 5 years saving an elm that a major garden center misplanted. It stopped growing, the canopy of leaves thinned, now it is doing great and is 25 feet high.
If you ask, I will mark your photos with cut marks for this year BUT there are no guarantees.
My guess is something like this. The tree came in plastic pot. You dug a hole about 1.5 times the diameter of the plant coming out of the pot. You did not tear apart the root ball. The plant was slightly root bound. The hole was dry rather than pre watered.
You put the plant in so that the top of the soil in the plant match your ground, You filled in dirt and then watered.
How did I do above?
The plant sank a bit. but dirt flowed from the surrounding ground and so the plant sent off high roots--from up the trunk. The constrained roots below ground and the roots coming off the trunk above ground are tangle around the tree.
It is reasonably entertaining to fix this your self. See some Youtubes on stem girdling roots. I have spent 5 years saving an elm that a major garden center misplanted. It stopped growing, the canopy of leaves thinned, now it is doing great and is 25 feet high.
If you ask, I will mark your photos with cut marks for this year BUT there are no guarantees.
Hi there,
The nursery was very responsive and offered to replace the tree, so that’s great. My one remaining question is if the soil In the area will now harbor the fungus and put a new tree at risk? Is there anything we can/should do to prep the site for a new tree?
Thanks again,
Jessica
On Aug 11, 2024, at 3:41 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
The ground is fine from that standpoint.
Be sure that Mycorrhizal fungi are added properly as the tree is planted.
The soil should be 50/50 compost and your soil. Otherwise, use potting soil.
Ensure that they saturate the pit before the tree is planted.
Plant the tree so that it is two inches above ground level.
Send me a picture after it is planted.
Be sure that Mycorrhizal fungi are added properly as the tree is planted.
The soil should be 50/50 compost and your soil. Otherwise, use potting soil.
Ensure that they saturate the pit before the tree is planted.
Plant the tree so that it is two inches above ground level.
Send me a picture after it is planted.
Thanks Steve. Planning to get the new tree a little later in the season, maybe September—will let you know how it goes. In the meantime I have a serviceberry in another part of yard, planted 2 years ago, which now has yellowing leaves. Have never had issues before with this tree. Does this look like regular seasonal leaf change to you or does it seem stressed?
Best,
Jessica 
On Aug 12, 2024, at 8:23 PM, Jessica Knight wrote:
Hi there,The nursery was very responsive and offered to replace the tree, so that’s great. My one remaining question is if the soil In the area will now harbor the fungus and put a new tree at risk? Is there anything we can/should do to prep the site for a new tree?Thanks again,JessicaOn Aug 11, 2024, at 3:41 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
I would not worry about the serviceberry right now.
It looks a bit wet. Do not water.
Next year will be better.
Remove that bamboo.
It looks a bit wet. Do not water.
Next year will be better.
Remove that bamboo.
