Catalpa help

[mrtree]

Verticillium Wilt is not always as easy as check for streaking. Sometimes lab tests are the way to go.

I do not think that this tree has vert, I think it is suffering contractor abuse.

Continue what you are doing, aeration, fish emulsion, vertical mulching, reminding the customer that the problem could have been avoided, take money, repeat.

 

[oceans]

Verticillium Wilt is not always as easy as check for streaking. Sometimes lab tests are the way to go.

I do not think that this tree has vert, I think it is suffering contractor abuse.

Continue what you are doing, aeration, fish emulsion, vertical mulching, reminding the customer that the problem could have been avoided, take money, repeat.

Thanks again for the input. I did take some samples for lab testing. I'll post those findings when they return.

 

[JD3000]

Has anyone seen a Catalpa suddenly defoliate a portion of its crown?

I know a bit about some recent changes to the site.
- Recent contruction had several trucks and pieces of heavy equipment driving all over the root system.
- The North side of the root system (entirely 50% of the drip line) had a grade change of roughly 8".
- The clients are on a watering program for the new grass.
- There was no trenching done for irrigation or any other services.
- We've experienced a very dry Spring and little rain this Summer.
- Client says the leaves browned out and fell.
- There are 3 other Catalpas on the property without similar symptoms, suggesting an Abiotic Disorder.
- Remaining foliage on the tree in question are uniform and healthy looking.
- Defoliated stems show small patches of new growth at the very tips, but nothing much anywhere else along those stems and branches.

I have already suggested a Root Collar Excavation and expressed the potential need for a well on the North side of the root flare. Would there be any need for fertilization (compost, fish emulsion, etc...) or increased watering on the South side of the tree? Should I wait to prune out senescing tissue to allow more relocation of starches?

All photos were taken at 5:30 PM for shadow reference to NSEW. What might be going on here?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Sounds like the old tree retention vs actual tree preservation. Unfortunate but we're usually called into these situations long after the construction damage is done.