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Bonita ash tree disease #311341

Asked April 05, 2016, 1:22 PM EDT

I have a young Bonita ash tree which has a strange disease of some kind that I cannot find anything like it on the Internet. I bought it from an Albuquerque garden store three years ago when it was about 8 feet tall and planted it in my yard in North Albuquerque Acres. It thrived for two years but last year it failed to bloom after behaving normally the previous two years. It is not budding this spring, but when I cut a stem it is still green inside like it is very much alive. Two Bonita ash trees I bought with it and planted nearby have behaved normally the whole time. Instead of budding last year the diseased tree formed clusters of very short stems with some very small leaves which turned brown and dried up quickly. Some of those stems have grown out this year in groups and are about an inch or so long with small stems growing off those stems with tiny buds not leafing out. The new stems are green and very much alive. Any thoughts on what the disease might be and what I can do to save the tree? I can send you some pictures if that would help you see what is happening. Thanks for your help.

Bernalillo County New Mexico

Expert Response

It is a good sign that the stems are showing green. Diseases that can cause problems include ash decline (a phytoplasma) which can cause leaf discoloration and small branch dieback, emerald ash borer, and the Eriophyes fraxinivorus mite which attacks ash flowers. Ash decline is difficult to control and may not be curable. Attacks by insects may be controlled with a systemic pesticide such as Bayer Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed. Also make sure that the affected tree is getting as much water as the other trees. Moisture stress can cause trees to become more susceptible to diseases. Check with your local Extension office in Albuquerque at 1510 Menaul Blvd Nw. Phone =<personal data hidden>. They may be able to visit the site to more accurately assess the damage to the tree or they may have more local information on treating the affected tree.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 11, 2016, 12:23 PM EDT

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