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Problem with Cercis

ntthomasntthomas Posts: 3
in Problem solving
My neighbour has tall Eleagnus Ebbingei which suffered die back and now my Cercis right next to the fence has branches dying back. It doesn't look very hopeful - is this Verticellium Wilt? Is there any hope for it?
Thanks
Nigel

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    The most likely is not enough water.  Cercis can 'self prune' in drought conditions by cutting sap supply to some branches but not others.  If you cut through a dead branch at an angle, look for any brown or black streaks which would indicate diseases like verticillium wilt.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • ntthomasntthomas Posts: 3
    Hi Bob thanks for the response. One of the photos shows a cut through a branch and it looks to me like there are brown rings in it. We've have a pretty wet summer here on the whole so I'd be surprised if it was drought - previous years have been much drier and it's been fine though those.

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    It does look likely to be VW, judging by the dieback and the concentric brown rings. 

    Bad news. If you're looking for a replacement, Cercidophyllum japonicum is VW resistant. The variety 'Boyd's Dwarf' would look similar to your Cercis.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • ntthomasntthomas Posts: 3
    Thanks Loxley, VW is what I suspect.  It's incredibly annoying as I grew this Cercis from seed. I might try cutting out everything thats died back and feed it, but not holding out much hope. Thats a great suggestion for a replacement if it comes to that - I didn't know about the dwarf Cercidophyllum.
    nigel
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