Dying Holly Trees - Ask Extension
I live on 4 mostly wooded acres in Cockeysville. We have always had numerous Holly trees scattered amongst the forest of mostly Oaks and Poplars. So...
Knowledgebase
Dying Holly Trees #784086
Asked March 15, 2022, 3:35 PM EDT
I live on 4 mostly wooded acres in Cockeysville. We have always had numerous Holly trees scattered amongst the forest of mostly Oaks and Poplars. Some or all probably came from seeds of a very large 35 foot tall holly in our front yard. The " momma " holly is fine and is pictured last. Two of the small-medium sized holly trees in our side yard showed dried leaves from the top down this winter. A smaller one is almost completely full of dried leaves with a few green ones on the bottom. The bigger one is dying with dried leaves from the top down, with about 1/3 of the lower leaves still green. What is causing this ? Will the trees recover ?. What can I do to save the trees ? How can I keep other hollies on my property from becoming infected ?
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
We viewed your photos. We cannot say for sure what is going on. This does not look like a disease problem. We think this is trunk or root related. You can do some detective work.
Left photo - Look in the area on the trunk where the top has died back. Look on the trunk for borer holes https://extension.umd.edu/resource/borer-insects-trees, possible damage from woodpeckers/sapsuckers https://extension.umd.edu/resource/woodpecker-and-sapsucker-damage-trees, cankers - dark discolored areas on the trunk, etc.
Root damage may be due to poor drainage, soil grade changes (changes in water drainage patterns), low areas where water collects, too much or too little moisture, etc. In general hollies grow best in full sun to part shade in a moist well drained soil. They do not like permanently wet soils. All of these issues can affect the root system and they can decline. Check for the above and you can give us more information.
Marian
Left photo - Look in the area on the trunk where the top has died back. Look on the trunk for borer holes https://extension.umd.edu/resource/borer-insects-trees, possible damage from woodpeckers/sapsuckers https://extension.umd.edu/resource/woodpecker-and-sapsucker-damage-trees, cankers - dark discolored areas on the trunk, etc.
Root damage may be due to poor drainage, soil grade changes (changes in water drainage patterns), low areas where water collects, too much or too little moisture, etc. In general hollies grow best in full sun to part shade in a moist well drained soil. They do not like permanently wet soils. All of these issues can affect the root system and they can decline. Check for the above and you can give us more information.
Marian
