Key Features
- Shoot and branch dieback
- Reduced shoot growth
- Wilting and loss of leaves
Symptoms
"Dieback" refers to the progressive death of twigs and branches that spreads from tips and into the main stem of the tree. Dieback describes the vague symptoms of reduced shoot growth, wilting and loss of leaves, often in the absence of a plant disease or insect pest. Underlying causes of dieback include drought, flooding, freeze damage, hail, or any injury to the root system, including but not limited to stem-girdling roots, chemical injury, root rot, construction damage, or soil compaction.
Biology
Varies
Management Recommendations
First, identify the cause of the dieback. Branches that have been physically injured by freeze or hail damage can be pruned out. Dieback can be slowed or stopped for other causes. Irrigate during periods of drought, improve drainage in sites that flood, or remove factors that contribute to soil compaction. Root problems, like rot, on trees may need to be assessed by an arborist to determine if the tree is at risk of falling. In all possible cases, remove or correct for the cause and prune out dead and dying branches as these can attract harmful insects and canker pathogens.
Effective Pesticides
Pesticides are neither available nor recommended for managing this condition.
Resources
- Not satisfied with ID? Contact the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab
- Sign Up for the Purdue Landscape Report
