Strange aspen growth - Ask Extension
There are large bright green leaves growing out of (alongside?) the 1 year old aspen tree. Some leaves look eaten or browned. Large leaves at the top,...
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Strange aspen growth #709369
Asked August 04, 2020, 12:16 PM EDT
There are large bright green leaves growing out of (alongside?) the 1 year old aspen tree. Some leaves look eaten or browned. Large leaves at the top, as well. Not sure if this is part of the tree, although some of it seems to be growing from a trunk, not sure if these are signs of distress or weed overgrowth.
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry. I notice this aspen seems to be growing in a bunching form. It would be helpful to see a photo of the trunks of the trees at the ground level to see where the new growth is coming from.
The variation in leaf size on different parts of the tree is peculiar, possibly related to leaf emergence at different parts of the season, or access to different amounts of light.
Here's an article from Iowa Extension about leaf size and shape: http://agron-http://www.agron.iastate.edu/courses/Agron541/classes/541/lesson11a/11a.3.html
The article doesn't speak exactly to this situation, however it does provide some insight about the factors that affect leaf growth.
As for the "eaten or browned" leaves, the scorching is likely caused by drought. Is the tree irrigated? If so, how much and how often?
Salt damage could also be a culprit. Are there any areas adjacent to the tree that are salted during the winter? If so, the salt could migrate into the soil and cause similar damage. For both issues, adequate watering is the proper management strategy.
Here is a fact sheet concerning leaf scorch: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/leaf-scorch-2-911/
Again, thank you for your inquiry. We kindly look forward to photographs of the aspen trunks at the base, and your answers to these questions.
Thank you for your inquiry. I notice this aspen seems to be growing in a bunching form. It would be helpful to see a photo of the trunks of the trees at the ground level to see where the new growth is coming from.
The variation in leaf size on different parts of the tree is peculiar, possibly related to leaf emergence at different parts of the season, or access to different amounts of light.
Here's an article from Iowa Extension about leaf size and shape: http://agron-http://www.agron.iastate.edu/courses/Agron541/classes/541/lesson11a/11a.3.html
The article doesn't speak exactly to this situation, however it does provide some insight about the factors that affect leaf growth.
As for the "eaten or browned" leaves, the scorching is likely caused by drought. Is the tree irrigated? If so, how much and how often?
Salt damage could also be a culprit. Are there any areas adjacent to the tree that are salted during the winter? If so, the salt could migrate into the soil and cause similar damage. For both issues, adequate watering is the proper management strategy.
Here is a fact sheet concerning leaf scorch: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/leaf-scorch-2-911/
Again, thank you for your inquiry. We kindly look forward to photographs of the aspen trunks at the base, and your answers to these questions.
