Weeping copper beech - Ask Extension
h copper beech is planted on my patio and has been there for about 13 years. Over the past 4 years the leaves on the upper branches fall off, turn br...
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Weeping copper beech #269157
Asked August 10, 2015, 4:33 PM EDT
h copper beech is planted on my patio and has been there for about 13 years. Over the past 4 years the leaves on the upper branches fall off, turn brown and curl. The leaves on the bottom seem healthyl. It gets worse each year. Do you have any idea what could be wrong with it? Thank you.
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Please send us photos of the whole tree, around the base of the tree, and declining foliage so we can see what you may be dealing with.
mh
mh
I am unable to do that since I took the pictures with my Ipad and sent this question from my P>C> Do you have an email that I can use to share those photos I took?
You will have to upload the photos to your computer. You can attach your photos to this reply. We do not have a separate email. mh
I hope this is helpful.
Based on your photos the leaf browning and drop are most likely due to a root problem. Looks like the tree may be located in a shady area next to a fence perhaps with other trees nearby. We see seed pods laying on the patio and a maple tree may be nearby. If so, there is competition for moisture and nutrients among the trees root systems. Beech trees have a shallow root system that is very sensitive to changing moisture conditions and are very sensitive to drought as they get older. This is a specimen tree and needs room to grow.
Also, we see that the tree is located next to a patio. If this is a western exposure the patio can heat up which can affect the root system.
Finally, beech can be susceptible to a leaf spot in the spring called anthracnose. You may see this if, we have cool wet weather in the spring. It is not uncommon for the tree to lose some foliage and leaf browning. It rarely has a negative impact on mature healthy trees. Remove fallen leaves to prevent any overwintering spores and prune dead wood.
https://extension.umd.edu/learn/shade-tree-anthracnose At this point, all you can do is remove fallen leaves, prune dead wood, make sure the soil drains well, water during dry periods, and lightly mulch the area (no more than several inches) around the root system to conserve moisture, and keep mulch away from the trunk. Most likely the tree will limp along and grow slowly. mh
Also, we see that the tree is located next to a patio. If this is a western exposure the patio can heat up which can affect the root system.
Finally, beech can be susceptible to a leaf spot in the spring called anthracnose. You may see this if, we have cool wet weather in the spring. It is not uncommon for the tree to lose some foliage and leaf browning. It rarely has a negative impact on mature healthy trees. Remove fallen leaves to prevent any overwintering spores and prune dead wood.
https://extension.umd.edu/learn/shade-tree-anthracnose At this point, all you can do is remove fallen leaves, prune dead wood, make sure the soil drains well, water during dry periods, and lightly mulch the area (no more than several inches) around the root system to conserve moisture, and keep mulch away from the trunk. Most likely the tree will limp along and grow slowly. mh
Thanks for your help .
