ailing oxydendrum - Ask Extension
My oxydendrum has some sort of leaf spot, on all leaves. It never completely greened out this year, or filled out with foilage- all the leaves it has ...
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ailing oxydendrum #265561
Asked July 28, 2015, 12:28 PM EDT
My oxydendrum has some sort of leaf spot, on all leaves. It never completely greened out this year, or filled out with foilage- all the leaves it has are a pale green/pink. Now it's turning to red leaves and loosing them. I don't think it's cosmetic, especially since the foliage is so sparse, staring right in the spring. Also, most of the very tiny branches coming off a larger branch are dead. Please help!
Allegheny County Pennsylvania
Expert Response
Oxydendrum is susceptible to leaf spot, however, it is not a serious disease and will generally not kill the tree. Oxydendrum is a difficult plant to grow, especially in urban areas. I live in the Pittsburgh area and have seen many of these trees die because they are not conducive to the climate in our area. They usually struggle for several years, continue to decline and eventually die.