Catalpa woes - Ask Extension
I have a catalpa tree that came through it’s second winter with quite a bit of dead wood. Now it’s leaves are turning brown. Any idea what the i...
Knowledgebase
Catalpa woes #464943
Asked June 24, 2018, 2:18 PM EDT
I have a catalpa tree that came through it’s second winter with quite a bit of dead wood. Now it’s leaves are turning brown. Any idea what the issue is and how to treat it?
Weld County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi,
It looks like your tree has leaf spot from the moisture we've experienced this spring. Please see below from the University of Texas about leaf spot.
Are you winter watering this tree? Winter water is very valuable to the trees along the front range and this winter was exceptionally dry. Test the bare branches to see if they are still green by scrapping the bark to see if it's green or dry. If green is under the bark keep the tree well watered and give it some time. If it is brown under the bark, then you could remove the dead. Use care in pruning and only prune dead wood. This tree is stressed and needs all the leaves possible to recover. It appears that the tree still has its main leader with leaves so do not cut that part.
Below is information from CSU about winter watering and establishing young plants.
Thanks,
Janene
http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
Leaf Spot (fungi – Cercospora sp., Phyllosticta sp.): Round to irregular brown to black spots appear during prolonged periods of damp weather. Center of spots may fall out, leaving a “shot hole” appearance. Collect and burn fallen leaves. Chemical control usually not necessary.
It looks like your tree has leaf spot from the moisture we've experienced this spring. Please see below from the University of Texas about leaf spot.
Are you winter watering this tree? Winter water is very valuable to the trees along the front range and this winter was exceptionally dry. Test the bare branches to see if they are still green by scrapping the bark to see if it's green or dry. If green is under the bark keep the tree well watered and give it some time. If it is brown under the bark, then you could remove the dead. Use care in pruning and only prune dead wood. This tree is stressed and needs all the leaves possible to recover. It appears that the tree still has its main leader with leaves so do not cut that part.
Below is information from CSU about winter watering and establishing young plants.
Thanks,
Janene
http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
Leaf Spot (fungi – Cercospora sp., Phyllosticta sp.): Round to irregular brown to black spots appear during prolonged periods of damp weather. Center of spots may fall out, leaving a “shot hole” appearance. Collect and burn fallen leaves. Chemical control usually not necessary.
