Q. We have a ‘Majestic’ ash tree that was planted a few years
ago. It was doing extremely well until a
year ago. All the new growth is just tiny bits of mostly dried green on the
ends of the branches. A few leaves have appeared, but mostly it’s just the
little spikey tips. The older leaves are just fine. It just won’t sprout new
growth. Any help?
ago. It was doing extremely well until a
year ago. All the new growth is just tiny bits of mostly dried green on the
ends of the branches. A few leaves have appeared, but mostly it’s just the
little spikey tips. The older leaves are just fine. It just won’t sprout new
growth. Any help?
A. I don’t know this variety of ash but sometimes we collectively
call this group of ash Shamel or Evergreen ash. It is evergreen, keeping its
leaves all winter long, but that’s only in warmer climates.
call this group of ash Shamel or Evergreen ash. It is evergreen, keeping its
leaves all winter long, but that’s only in warmer climates.
When
the temperatures drop into the 20s it drops its leaves and becomes deciduous.
When the temperatures approach 20° F it is possible they can have winter dieback
or cold damage, particularly if it was fertilized late in the summer.. This may be what you are seeing in your tree.
the temperatures drop into the 20s it drops its leaves and becomes deciduous.
When the temperatures approach 20° F it is possible they can have winter dieback
or cold damage, particularly if it was fertilized late in the summer.. This may be what you are seeing in your tree.
As the tree gets older it should be
more tolerant of freezing temperatures. The only other possibility is chemical
damage from weed killers applied to close to the tree or during a time of heat
and wind. If this has been winter damage and the tree has not been damaged too
badly, it will come back very strong this growing season. Right now it’s early
in the season so give it a chance.