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Is my Rowan tree dead?

standbyme40standbyme40 Posts: 23
in Problem solving

Hi

I have a fully grown, 20+ year old rowan tree in my garden which always does well. This year. however, there is not a single bud on it. It always flowers in May and I am worried that it should have at least developed buds by now. Is there a problem with it, or is it likely to bud, develop leaf and flower as normal, just a bit later this year?

Thanks

Phil.

«1

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    If there are no leaf buds it's dead, the buds should have been there at the end of last season. 

    If there are no flower buds it's not necessarily so serious

    Can you post a photo? trunk and some branches/twigs

    Last edited: 04 April 2017 18:42:57



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • standbyme40standbyme40 Posts: 23

    imageimageimage

    Hi, here are some photos of it. As you can see, there isn't much happening! I really hope it isn't dead but I've never known there be no sign of leaf by this point in the season.

  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653

    Also in the South East, mine is pretty much in full leaf with flower buds image

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Mark56 says:

    Also in the South East, mine is pretty much in full leaf with flower buds image

    See original post

     Mine too

    I fear that's dead or dying 

    In the top pics the two branches to the right are dead, they have a browny look.

    For future trees, branches don't like to be cut like that. Prune back to the main trunk, stumps always die back and that's where infection sets in

    In the middle pic, those ridges along the twig are a sign of death, shrivelling up



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • standbyme40standbyme40 Posts: 23

    Oh no! So any ideas what I need to do now? Having a tree in that space really works. 

  • xxgumtreeaeLBx5gpxxgumtreeaeLBx5gp Posts: 9
    edited April 2023
    Hello,

    I found your post on a search as I also have a large Rowan tree (prob 35+ years) which so far isn't doing anything this year.

    I was wondering what happened with your tree - did it recover?

    Thanks,

    John
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's probably a goner then. They're not terribly long lived, and if it's not showing any signs of life by now, it's highly unlikely to still be alive. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • xxgumtreeaeLBx5gpxxgumtreeaeLBx5gp Posts: 9
     :(
    Could last years 'drought' be a contributing factor?
    What's the max age they last?

    What would be a good replacement?  
  • standbyme40standbyme40 Posts: 23
    Hi unfortunately I had to have mine cut down to a stump. I left it until the following spring but it was definitely dead!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - they don't like being dry for long periods. It's why they grow so well here  :)
    You can replace with another one, but if you get long dry spells, it's probably not a good idea. They generally live for around 30 years or so, but it all depends on the conditions they're in.
    Something like an Amelanchier would be better, but it depends on your site etc. If you want suggestions, it would  be best to start a new thread with details of your plot, the aspect, the amount of room you have, the general climate and your rough location.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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