Horse chestnut tree problem

Hello everyone! Can someone please offer any advice on a problem I have just noticed with one of my young Horse Chestnut trees.
I have three of these trees in my garden and they are about 4 years old and stand about 6-8 feet high. Two of them are sporting nice large healthy looking sticky buds, but the third has dry, flaky looking buds with no sticky resin on them at all - is this some kind of disease? Can I do anything to help the tree, or is it not a problem?
Any suggestions gratefully recieved!
Chas.

 

Surely the buds are breaking now.

Maybe the one that looks dry and flaky is dead, or could it be a different Aesculus, there are quite a lot with similar appearance when in leaf.

 

Hi Chas,

Has the tree in question shown typical sticky buds in previous years? Is it possible for you to perhaps post a photo or two of the said tree?

Cheers,
Matthew

 

Hi Matthew,
Yes, the tree has always produced rich brown sticky buds in previous years, just like the other two trees have done this year - I'll go and take a couple of photos as suggested.:gnthb:
Many thanks,
Chas.

 

Hi again Matthew,
Here is a photo of the offending bud! All of the other trees have large shiny sticky buds, this one on the main growth shoot is dry and scaley as you can see.
Any thoughts??
Many thanks,
Chas.

 

Hi Chas,

Well that pic has stumped me. (That's an arb joke that is!) I can't find anything that affects the bud only and nothing else at this time of year. Is any other part of the tree in question showing signs of ill health at all? Cracked or swollen bark? Bleeding stems & branches? Any sign of insect infestation?

If the answer is no then I can only suggest that it may be sunburn, where, for some reason, the tree didn't produce the usual resin that covers and protects the bud and it has subsequently burned in the sunshine. Do you have a south facing garden by the way?

Without actually looking at the specimen closely there's little else I can suggest, I'm sorry. I'd just say for now keep an eye on it, report back if anything else unusual occurs and let us know if the bud actually develops.

Sorry I can't be of any further help.

Matthew

 

Hi again Matthew,
Thanks a lot for your comments - I'll sit and keep an eye on it with a glass of ale in my hand and report back if it flourishes!
Yes, it is a south facing garden by the way.
Cheers,
Chas.

 

Intresting, but ive no idea either!