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Labernum tree issue

garysmith169qs1RZUtgarysmith169qs1RZUt Posts: 3
in Problem solving
I planted a labernum tree in the spring to mark where we buried our much loved dog who unfortunately passed away. It flowered as expected and seemed to be doing great until a branch seemed to be having issues. It turned brown in a small patch and the leaves went yellow, dry and curled up. I marked the brown patch to see if it was spreading and it was. My mother in law thought I could just be wind or sun burn, but it has now appeared on at least 3 more branches and I’m worried there is something wrong. Any advice? Photos attached

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It doesn't look like anything serious @garysmith169qs1RZUt, as the rest looks healthy, but a photo of the whole tree will help  :)
    Laburnums are generally trouble free, but the other possibility is birds sitting on branches and breaking them. It's normal for young trees to get some minor bits of damage from weather when they're settling in though. 
    All trees need a lot of watering for the first 6 months or so if planted in spring, especially if you're in a very dry area. In wet areas it's easier.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • garysmith169qs1RZUtgarysmith169qs1RZUt Posts: 3
    Thanks for your reply @Fairygirl. I thought nothing of it when it was just one branch, my concern rose when it seemingly spread to 4 of the branches as it’s still a young tree and that’s most of the substantial branches! I’ve also never had a young tree to look after before so I’m probably fretting more than I should, especially given the reason why we planted it. It has been fairly well watered; the soil has always been at least damp even in the hot weather. I have attached a couple more photos so you can see the whole tree: I took off the first branch I was worried about as I thought it was tracking down the branch, but you can see top left and right where the leaves have dried, yellowed and curled on the branches that have browned. Sorry, I don’t know why it’s out then on sideways, they are normal way up on my phone!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited July 2023
    There’s a glitch on the forum and it only likes pics in landscape format. If you trim the size just slightly they’ll upload upright. 
    I’ve turned them for you. 

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





  • HeyHo!HeyHo! Posts: 113
    edited July 2023
    This looks similar type of problem I had recently with my acer tree which was bought about 2 years ago. According to RHS advisors, it had Verticullium Wilt a. It could be a less resilient speciman and prone to problems.  
    Chop the infected branches completely clear to stop it spreading, and bin it. Wait and hopefully, it will be ok.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verticillium_wilt



  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Laburnum isn't among the plants most susceptible to verticillium wilt (though Acer is, unfortunately for @HeyHo!).  If there are dark streaks in the wood under the bark, if you decide to prune off one of the affected branches, that's a sign of verticillium.  However, I wouldn't panic at this stage - as @Fairygirl says, since the rest of the tree looks pretty healthy.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's a fair sized specimen to get established at that time of year @garysmith169qs1RZUt, so it's always possible that some branches don't do as well as others. 
    I'd just take those dead branches off - try and avoid going back into healthy, green growth, and then keep doing what you're doing in terms of care.
    I can't see how it's planted, but it's always best to have a good clear space around the trunk until it's happy and growing well, and you can add some mulch on that area too - anything will do really, compost etc, which is useful when added every few months or so on damp soil. That helps to keep the area free of weeds and any competition too. 
    Other than that, it's looking fine- judging by your photos, so just keep an eye on it. I can understand why you're a little nervous about it's health, but they're quite easy trees and I think you're doing fine with it so far. Good watering over the next few months if you're in a drier area as rain doesn't always do enough to get right in at the base of trees. :)
    It's nice to see one being planted. They were very common when I was growing up [we had one in the front garden] but fell out of favour a bit .  

    Laburnums don't get wilt - or at least, I've never heard of them ever getting it. Acers do though, but it isn't necessarily terminal with them either if caught in time and given the correct solution, which is pruning out diseased material.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • garysmith169qs1RZUtgarysmith169qs1RZUt Posts: 3
    Thanks for everyone’s input so far. So, after all of your guys’ tips and what not, I cut off the branches that had started browning and had dried, yellow leaves. As time has progressed, there are still large chunks of leaf that looks like the tree is struggling, and another branch (but only one) that is also turning brown. Pictures attached. Do you still think it’s just the stress of being planted and that it will recover, or does this make us think something else is afoot?


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