Knowledgebase
Young tulip Tulip poplar branches losing leaves for no apparent reason #839108
Asked July 05, 2023, 2:54 PM EDT
Kalamazoo County Michigan
Expert Response
Please attach a few pictures-
One of the whole tree soil line to top.
One of several leaves laid out flat- some top side up some bottom side up.
One of a branch with leaves still attached.
Also, were any garden chemicals or fertilizers applied to the grass or other areas around the tree, and when?
To add pictures, click the link in your email and go into your question on the website.
Click the “Drop files here or choose them” below the response box to attach them.
You can upload .jpg, .png, .gif, .txt, or .pdf.
NOTE- each picture must be 8mb or less.
Liriodendron tulipifera, tulip tree, is susceptible to verticillium wilt. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/verticillium_wilt_refresher
I recommend you have a lab or certified arborist test for this condition.
MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic lab can test for a fee. Information on how to do this is on their website
https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/
A certified arborist can be hired to come on site. Find them by zip code search here- http://www.treesaregood.org
If verticillium wilt is confirmed, you will want to replace with a tree that is resistant: https://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/resources/ucdavis_verticillium.pdf
Here are the photos of the tree you requested: one of the tree, one of a branch, and one of dead or damaged leaves
I was somewhat confused about how to attach the pictures as requested in this email response you sent to me:
Dear Lee, here's the response to your question:
Hello Lee
Please attach a few pictures-
One of the whole tree soil line to top.
One of several leaves laid out flat- some top side up some bottom side up.
One of a branch with leaves still attached.
Also, were any garden chemicals or fertilizers applied to the grass or other areas around the tree, and when?
To add pictures, click the link in your email and go into your question on the website.
Click the “Drop files here or choose them” below the response box to attach them.
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Thursday, July 6, 2023 9:06 AM
To: Lee Kirk <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Young tulip Tulip poplar branches losing leaves for no apparent reason (#0109034)
Your pictures came through fine, thank you!
This could be verticillium wilt. The only way to confirm the disease is to get a lab test. I would submit samples to MSU Diagnostic lab or hire a certified arborist to diagnose the tree.( see links in my second reply)
However, there are a couple other issues:
1.Tulip poplar is a very large tree at maturity. Your picture appears to show a wire running through the top of the crown. If this is a utility wire, a dwarf tree or a shrub whose mature height stays below the wire is a better choice for this location. If you need small tree or shrub recommendations, please let me know.
2. This tree is buried too deeply in the mulch and/or soil. The root collar should be showing at the soil line- and mulch should be pulled back 4-5 inches so as not to touch the trunk. Mulch should be no deeper than 3 inches thick. This allows proper oxygen exchange for the root system of all woody plants. Here is a link to the Tree Owner’s manual which shows the root collar flaring out at the soil line. Consider excavating the root collar or replanting it in a new location at the correct depth, if verticillium is not diagnosed.
see illustrations on pages 2 and 16:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368392.pdf
I would consider moving it to a better location where it can reach its mature height of 60 feet by 35 feet wide or more( if verticillium wilt is not diagnosed).
If verticillium is confirmed, there are resistant plants to replace it as listed in my second reply.
Regards,
Laura
