Laburnum

Regarding a friends Laburnum (not sure about the species) - the tree has a problem with leaves in the lower branches that are curling inwards, brown in places, yellowing.
There are no apparent signs of either aphids or powdery mildew, in addition to which the top 75% of the tree is unaffected.
Tree must be 15 - 18 years old I think and there is no problems with any of the surrounding vegetation.
Any thoughts and advice would be greatly welcomed!

Kind regards
Roy

 

Doesn't sound too much to worry about. many trees lose a stack of leaves at this time, and it's usually the innermost ones or those most shaded (ie lower down).

If the leaves aren't contributing to the growth of the plant they are dropped. If the browning is quite particular to one branch then that's different, but if it's general then it's probably just the late summer drop.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Jazid!
Thing is though the lower leaves are all really badly distorted and its a very ugly mess. But yes - as you say its a general mess throughout the lower branches rather than the whole tree and therefore it may well be the trees ability to conserve energy and shed leaves or something similar rather than pest or disease.

Cheers!
Roy

 

Oh dear. Piccy would help (if you can access photobucket which I can't).

From 'Diagnosis of Ill Health in Trees':

ie. if this is your problem then rake up the fallen leaves and burn them!

Poedery mildew affects them as well, but usually I would expect to see this on the softer tissues first. If the tree is shaded than this might be a possibility. The sysptoms of distortion, dwarfing, browning, and early drop are consistent. If it is this then looking at a leaf under a lens will show the 'powder' to consist of a tangled mass of hyphae.

Hope this adds further fuel to the fire :confused:

 

Jazid, not sure if I will or will not have a problem with photobucket as the software I have for the digi camera does not seem to function anymore on my computer so I can't get the flippin things uploaded. How frustrating can computers and software be!!

Anyhow, from your description I do not think that either Laburnum Agromyzid Fly nor Laburnum Leaf Miner are to blame but will certainly bear this in mind when I get a further look.

Many thanks!
Roy

 

PIECE OF CAKE ROYSTER ha,

dont like laburnum full stop :D :D