mountain ash tree disease? - Ask Extension
my mother is worried about her mountain ash. Can she save it? If not, are the volunteers healthy enough to save or would they eventually have the same...
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mountain ash tree disease? #590985
Asked August 21, 2019, 2:22 PM EDT
my mother is worried about her mountain ash. Can she save it? If not, are the volunteers healthy enough to save or would they eventually have the same issues?
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
Unfortunately, your mom's tree has been badly damaged in the past. The trunk has multiple injuries and that's affecting the top growth of the tree. It looks like possible sunscald and other injuries. Since I can't see the top of the tree (you just send the one branch), it's impossible to tell if the tree can survive. But those are pretty significant wounds on the trunk.
It's also unlikely that the suckers were what your mom originally planted. While they are mountain-ash, the tree planted was probably a named cultivar. The suckers will not be true to type. Plus, suckers are not structually sound and will not usually result in a desirable tree.
I would wait and see how it goes, but your mom should probably start to consider other tree options for replacement in the future.
Unfortunately, your mom's tree has been badly damaged in the past. The trunk has multiple injuries and that's affecting the top growth of the tree. It looks like possible sunscald and other injuries. Since I can't see the top of the tree (you just send the one branch), it's impossible to tell if the tree can survive. But those are pretty significant wounds on the trunk.
It's also unlikely that the suckers were what your mom originally planted. While they are mountain-ash, the tree planted was probably a named cultivar. The suckers will not be true to type. Plus, suckers are not structually sound and will not usually result in a desirable tree.
I would wait and see how it goes, but your mom should probably start to consider other tree options for replacement in the future.
