Aspen blight? - Ask Extension
Any idea what is ailing my aspen, and what I can do about it? I’m in Estes Park.
Knowledgebase
Aspen blight? #708212
Asked August 01, 2020, 5:01 PM EDT
Any idea what is ailing my aspen, and what I can do about it? I’m in Estes Park.
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
Can you tell me more about the tree? Was it recently planted (within the last year)? Does it get regular water?
This looks more like drought stress than any of the diseases that aspen can get. Thanks for any other information you can provide!
Can you tell me more about the tree? Was it recently planted (within the last year)? Does it get regular water?
This looks more like drought stress than any of the diseases that aspen can get. Thanks for any other information you can provide!
Two years old, from Fort Collins Nursery, gets regular water (about three minutes, with a hose) most days when it doesn’t rain at least a quarter inch. Similar treatment, no such problems first two years.
Did the leaves leaf out fully green earlier this spring? This browning is recent? Some of the leaves are still healthy.
Is the green hose you're using for staking cutting into the trunk? Is it correlated to where you're seeing the leaf damage--any injury to those branches or trunk?
Is the green hose you're using for staking cutting into the trunk? Is it correlated to where you're seeing the leaf damage--any injury to those branches or trunk?
Yes, leafed out fully green this spring.
No hose damage. Leaves are brown above and below the hose. We have another aspen nearby, a year older, with no hose, that is beginning to show the same damage.
No hose damage. Leaves are brown above and below the hose. We have another aspen nearby, a year older, with no hose, that is beginning to show the same damage.
Thanks for your responses.
Any further ideas?
Sorry, I had a meeting to attend. It could be one of the very common aspen diseases, like Septoria. However, at this point in the growing season, the damage is done. Instead, focus on cleaning up the leaves this fall and throw them in the trash. This tree may just be weakened (in some way) compared to the other near it. Rarely are these diseases fatal to trees and aspens are just very susceptible to many things. They are trees that really do best in natural situations and struggle with landscapes, even at the correct elevation.
Your growing season is only another month or so, and the leaves will be turning and falling in the next few weeks. Keep up with your cultural practices of watering.
I would also recommend you swap out the garden hose for a canvas staking strap. Or remove it all together. If the tree is two years old it should be established and not in danger of tipping from the wind. You also have a cage around it to protect from elk and deer.
Your growing season is only another month or so, and the leaves will be turning and falling in the next few weeks. Keep up with your cultural practices of watering.
I would also recommend you swap out the garden hose for a canvas staking strap. Or remove it all together. If the tree is two years old it should be established and not in danger of tipping from the wind. You also have a cage around it to protect from elk and deer.
Thanks very much, Alison, for your detailed response. It will be difficult to collect the leaves due to the winds up here, but we’ll do what we can.
Warren
