DrRod
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2005
- Messages
- 893
- Tractor
- John Deere 4110
Greetings,
My place has been a bit of a landmark for its chestnut trees since the 1940s. We had a row of 12 along the fence line but around 2002 all but one died. No decline, no signs of blight, they just didn't bud out one spring. I planted replacements and, after some loses and replanting, finally got them to a nice sappling state. Three weeks ago I pruned a few small limbs on some and put down a little fertilizer and all seemed fine. When I returned two weeks ago, the young leaves had all browned and curled. At first I thought it was my fault but then I noticed that the oned big old tree was in the same state. And so was one other big old tree about two hundred yards away, and the same for three volunteers that had sprung up in the field. So I figured it was nothing I did.
I've checked a few web sites and my best guess is Sudden Oak Death. Apparently this can hit chestnuts but I really don't know. There is no sign of trouble with the bark so I don't think it is blight or a number of other diseases/fungi that all seem to start with signs on the bark. The leaves just browned at the tip and curled back dead.
So can anyone offer some insight on this? Your thoughts are much appreciated.
Thanks,
Rod
My place has been a bit of a landmark for its chestnut trees since the 1940s. We had a row of 12 along the fence line but around 2002 all but one died. No decline, no signs of blight, they just didn't bud out one spring. I planted replacements and, after some loses and replanting, finally got them to a nice sappling state. Three weeks ago I pruned a few small limbs on some and put down a little fertilizer and all seemed fine. When I returned two weeks ago, the young leaves had all browned and curled. At first I thought it was my fault but then I noticed that the oned big old tree was in the same state. And so was one other big old tree about two hundred yards away, and the same for three volunteers that had sprung up in the field. So I figured it was nothing I did.
I've checked a few web sites and my best guess is Sudden Oak Death. Apparently this can hit chestnuts but I really don't know. There is no sign of trouble with the bark so I don't think it is blight or a number of other diseases/fungi that all seem to start with signs on the bark. The leaves just browned at the tip and curled back dead.
So can anyone offer some insight on this? Your thoughts are much appreciated.
Thanks,
Rod