Q. The trunk/branches of the bad trees appear like
they’re peeling. The limbs are very brittle so I don’t think they’ll
recover. Could I, for example, simply cut the top 12” of the trunk and
save the rest of
the tree?
 |
| Japanese blueberry with dead top |
I’m trying to understand why these specifically would get sunburned
and not the others. Are you suggesting that if the top of the tree didn’t have
enough leaves to provide shade to the trunk from the sun, this would occur? If
that’s the case, even if I were to cut the dry part of the trunk off, I don’t
know how I would keep it from occurring again…aside from attaching an umbrella
to the tree!:-)
I also attached a better photo of the trees directly
adjacent to them (6 total trees, 4 are thriving/2 appear to be dying). These
were all planted at the same time and it’s interesting that the two on the end
(which are having problems) never grew as tall as the other 3.
adjacent to them (6 total trees, 4 are thriving/2 appear to be dying). These
were all planted at the same time and it’s interesting that the two on the end
(which are having problems) never grew as tall as the other 3.
 |
| Dead top of the Japanese blueberry |
A. Yes, it appears to be sunburn. Just cut it off but
this is exactly what can happen to a tree in a death spiral. It gets sunburn
perhaps because the tree trunk was not shaded by enough canopy.
this is exactly what can happen to a tree in a death spiral. It gets sunburn
perhaps because the tree trunk was not shaded by enough canopy.
The sunburn
causes the top to dieback which opens I more to sunburn. Borers come in and
causes the tree to dieback more, sometimes killing it. You have no choice but
to remove the dead part. Sometimes painting the exposed area of the tree with diluted
white latex paint can help. It helps to lower the surface temperature of the
limbs and reduces sunburn.
causes the top to dieback which opens I more to sunburn. Borers come in and
causes the tree to dieback more, sometimes killing it. You have no choice but
to remove the dead part. Sometimes painting the exposed area of the tree with diluted
white latex paint can help. It helps to lower the surface temperature of the
limbs and reduces sunburn.
Sometimes just attaching some burlap loosely over
the area and tying it in to it does not blow off can help until there is new
growth that covers the area.
the area and tying it in to it does not blow off can help until there is new
growth that covers the area.
 |
| Burlap added for some temporary shade |
Plants like Japanese blueberry, Podocarpus and others
(often in the rose family or Prunus genus) gets sunburn due to very thin and
tender bark.
(often in the rose family or Prunus genus) gets sunburn due to very thin and
tender bark.
Hope that helps.