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Laburnum "Golden Chain' new leaf shoots dying

AliMcGAliMcG Posts: 24
in Problem solving
I planted a laburnum two years ago. Last year it had a few small leaf shoots, but didn't come to anything. This year seemed more promising. Two weeks ago it had lots of bright green leafy shoots, but they gradually seemed to die off. Now I have a bare trunk with shrivelled, dry dead leaf shoots. Any idea what the problem might be? 
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  • AliMcGAliMcG Posts: 24
    Hi, how can I tell? The small shoot buds are on the trunk (I say trunk, it is still more of a tall stick!), but can't seem to take life. There does not appear to be any other sign of damage or rot on the tree.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2022
    Laburnum is deciduous … it is now autumn … could it be simply normal leaf fall or do you suspect something else? If so, what are the symptoms?  

    You mention buds … it’s not really the time of year for new growth. 

    You are on the west coast of Scotland so you’ve not had the drought and high temperatures that those of us further south experienced, so it’s unlikely to be lack of water.  Could it possibly be too much water?  Laburnum do not like to be waterlogged. Is the soil free-draining? 

    I think we need to see some photographs of the tree in order to be able to help you. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AliMcGAliMcG Posts: 24
    Hi - Apologies I forgot to mention the laburnum is in my garden in Australia., so we are heading in to Spring, and it is definitely in free draining soil.  


     
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Oh right … that would make a difference …

    Could we also see a photo of the whole tree including the planting area please 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AliMcGAliMcG Posts: 24

  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    I would expect to be seeing some pale almost white buds getting ready to burst into life. Mine have them over winter after leaf drop. The branches look nice and green so don;t give up hope yet.
    Sunny Dundee
  • AliMcGAliMcG Posts: 24
    I'll try and take another pic as this one says it large
  • AliMcGAliMcG Posts: 24
    I hope so - I have been nurturing this large stick for two years 
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    I would remove the grass to around a 50cm radius from the trunk. I believe they are shallow rooted, so the grass may be taking away much needed moisture from the tree.
    Sunny Dundee
  • AliMcGAliMcG Posts: 24
    That is concerning - I will investigate further. We have had issues in parts of the back garden with pathogens in the soil which killed my Blue Lycianthes and is slowly killing my giant Pepper tree. I had the soil tested and it isolated to one area of the garden at the time..but it is possible that could be the issue ??
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