Knowledgebase
Assessment of Tulip Leaves #847557
Asked August 28, 2023, 8:03 AM EDT
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
The spots appear to be normal late-season leaf spot. You don't need to do anything.
Without knowing what kind of tree, how large it is or how close it is to the fence, it's a little hard to tell you how best to proceed.
Does the tree appear to be struggling? If the tree looks like it needs more light and the fence is blocking the sun, then you could definitely take some of the fence down.
Try not to dig up the fence; just shorten it. If the tree is close to the fence and you start digging you could damage the tree's root system.
Thanks for contacting us,
Judy
It is an American Tulip Tree. Please see attached photos with it close to the fence and overall photos of the tree. Bascially, the tree looks really healthy. The location is not ideal (hanging over my old shed, very close to fence, now over neighbor's newly build shed, close to neighbor's property who do not like it). The tree is so lovely and provides privacy I would hate to cut it down though if I wait a couple of years to cut it down it will cost more.
The neighbor after the recent microburse that damaged a lot of trees on my street claim it is diseaed and damaged her property. An arborist told me tree brancehes that come down in unusal storms like the recent microburst in Rockville are "acts of god."
A concern is that my neighbor's renter might have hurt the tree while doing excessive digging in the back yard. I noticed he dug up a large root. He has a history of doing unlicensed work with no permits. If he did dig up the root, would that have hurt the tree.
more photos
Tulip trees are pretty forgiving, so one root shouldn't cause a problem. Keep an eye on the tree and if it starts to look stressed or defoliates contact your arborist.
Judy
