Chinese Elm Help

rookiedave

I was hoping that some experienced chinese elm growers could read take some time and read the following. Responses are greatly appreciated!

I've recently killed a chinese elm and am having a hard time understanding what happend. I also have a cutting from this tree that is having problems.

Some history - I've had the tree for about 3 years. Last year it had lots of growth, looked very healthy. On occasion, the tips of the branches would shrivel up - dry out. Growth would stop at this point, then gradually begin again. One change in care was the overwintering. I put the tree in much cooler temperatures this winter - in a three seasons room in the NE of the US. Temperatures reached freezing - but not much cooler - and totally protected from the snow. The cutting was taken last year - and this was exposed to identical winter conditions. The cutting never grew much last year.

This spring - the tree never budded. Scratching the bark found no green coloration. It bark proceeded to shrivel in places, a white fungus appeared around the roots. I have since declared it dead.

The cutting was looking great for a while - lots of green buds. They all opened, produced about 2 leaves each then the tips shriveled up and all growth has stopped.

Not sure if the wintering was too much, but I suspect something else as the tips were dieing back and the cutting is doing the same. I've had no spotting on the leaves, leaves look healthy.

Any thoughts? Sorry no picks at this time.

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Joanie

I'm definitely not experienced, but can fill in the time until someone better comes along It sounds like a root problem to me. Chinese elms are really hardy but don't like to be too wet for long. Could it be your drainage or soil? Was your mix well draining, did the water almost run right through it? Was your drainage hole blocked? Did the tree sit in water or constant rain for some span of time?

Another possibility is overfeeding. You may have scorched the roots....what did you you and how often did you apply it?

Finally, and probably not a real option, pests. Were there little webs, or ants, or holes in the leaves?

If you applied insecticides, were they all right for Chinese Elms?

Just a few thoughts.

Joanie