Thanks for contacting us about your linden tree. The dead twigs could have a number of causes: herbicide drift, late winter/early spring freeze damage, disease such as verticillium wilt, irrigation changes, root damage, to name a few. Knowing when these twigs lost their leaves can help.

• How did these same twigs look last spring? At some point these twigs would have produced leaf buds. Hard freezes in the late winter/early spring can kill both leaf and flower buds depending on what was developing at the time. We had a fair amount of that last year that killed new growth, and would look very obvious this year. These twigs would also be dry and crispy (dead). This would be the most likely cause. This was quite prevalent last year.
• If these twigs are still supple and ‘bendy’, then they just recently had the damage/disease. If they did have leaves this spring, how did they look as they began to fail – Yellow? Wilted but still green?
• This tree was pruned last fall – was that after the tree had shed its leaves? Was it structural pruning (to better shape the tree that would include larger branches)? Or was it just pruning to remove last year’s dead twigs (if there were any last year)?
• Are herbicides used in the area? If so, what was used?
• Has there been any irrigation changes or root damage in the area that might cause the tree to cut back its own canopy?

I am including some fact sheets on verticillium wilt. This disease can affect many species of plants and trees. This fungal disease plugs up the vascular system of parts of the tree cutting off nutrients to that area. Usually the wilted/dead leaves hang on the tree for a while. See if that information seems like it might fit your situation. If so, there are no good treatment options and you may want to contact a certified arborist to get their assessment.

• Utah State University verticillium wilt: https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/ornamental-pest-guide/diseases/verticillium-wilt
• Iowa State University verticillium wilt: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/verticillium-wilt
• Find a certified arborist in your area: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch

Again, I think it is most likely last year’s freeze damage that is becoming evident as this year’s growth begins to fill in. If those twigs are crispy dead, they can be pruned out. Continue to care for the tree with adequate water. Do not increase fertilization while the tree is under a bit of stress.

Weld County Master Gardeners also have a Tree Team that can schedule a visit to your home to discuss and advise if you’d like. The fee is $25. Call<personal data hidden> or email <personal data hidden>.

Karin

On 06/01/2024 11:51 AM MDT Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

 

 

Hello again. I'm not sure whether or not you had any other questions, but the earlier information would still apply,  and I think it is most likely last year’s freeze damage that has become obvious as this year’s growth fills in. If those twigs are crispy dead, they can be removed by pruning or will eventually fall off (that will take years). Continue to care for the tree with adequate water. Do not increase fertilization while the tree is under a bit of stress.

Thanks again for contacting us.

Karin
 

On 06/05/2024 10:38 PM MDT Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: