Ash Tree Losing Leaves

[treebowl2006]

I have a 30 yr old. Ash tree. The leaves over the last three weeks started falling off. They almost look like fire blight leaves from a pear. Looks like it starts on older growth and works towards tips. I live in Iowa. Weather has been pretty typical for temp. Seems like we have had abundance of water though. Any ideas

 

[treebowl2006]

Actually about 15 yrs old.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Could be EAB. Are you familiar with the signs/symptoms? Plenty of good info on the net already

 

[tc262]

It does not look like eab. The eab trees around me start dieing from the top town. The bugs start eating out in the younger softer branches then work their way down into the mature wood. And the leaves don't end up looking crispy like that.

 

[KTSmith]

Nothing diagnostic in the images. Sure, rule out EAB. Then, ask the soil/root questions: any changes in grade, construction/compaction impacts, flooding (although ash are pretty tolerant of that), chemical release, etc.
If you see actual signs of infection/damage, please post. Otherwise, I'm leaning abiotic.

 

[mrtree]

That tree has a root issue that could be biotic or abiotic (and likely a combination). Poor root zone conditions have likely led to either a root (biological) failure or the proliferation of a root disease.

 

[treebowl2006]

We had lots of lightning before this started. I noticed a small Crack that starts near the limb that died first and goes all the way to ground. Not very big though. I attached some photos. The photos of the leaves are on the other side of the tree. Started about a week ago. Hadn't progressed though.

 

[treebowl2006]

That tree has a root issue that could be biotic or abiotic (and likely a combination). Poor root zone conditions have likely led to either a root (biological) failure or the proliferation of a root disease.

I posted some photos that I think may indicate lightning strike. I do not have much experience with strikes and the ones I have seen have been much more dramatic when it comes to the trunk damage. What do you think? The tree is in a large mulch bed, and it seems as if the soil conditions are very good. Adequate moisture,not compacted,not much competition, tree has always seemed to be in above average condition.

 

[treebowl2006]

Nothing diagnostic in the images. Sure, rule out EAB. Then, ask the soil/root questions: any changes in grade, construction/compaction impacts, flooding (although ash are pretty tolerant of that), chemical release, etc.
If you see actual signs of infection/damage, please post. Otherwise, I'm leaning abiotic.

No changes in grade , no construction, I did just power wash my deck. But it was well outside the dripline. I posted some more pics. I'm thinking maybe lightning strike. We have had lots of lightning over the past month?

 

[Zacchaeus]

I'll go with mrtree and KTSmith... It very well could be lightning damage. Also, after looking at the picture of the trunk, I can't really see a root flare. I would do a little careful root flare excavation and see if any girdling roots are present. That may not be causing the issue (or it could be) but if girdlers ARE present, they are definitely NOT helping the situation...

 

[JD3000]

I have a 30 yr old. Ash tree. The leaves over the last three weeks started falling off. They almost look like fire blight leaves from a pear. Looks like it starts on older growth and works towards tips. I live in Iowa. Weather has been pretty typical for temp. Seems like we have had abundance of water though. Any ideas

Doesnt look like anthracnose either. Ive had similiar dieback been confirmed for Botryosphaeria canker via sending samples to the lab. Explore all those abiotic possibilities for sure.