Laburnum Tree doesnt look too healthy

robert cardinali

Hi there

I have noticed that some of the branches of my laburnum tree have started to look as though they are being attacked by something the affected branches look as though the bark has been eaten away by some thing, they also feel spongey when you touch them.

I wondered if anyone could tell me what the cause of this is and if there is anything that I can do to help. I was thinking of cutting off the affected branches?

There is also some general cracking to the bark but this has always been there

I have attached some photos

 

 

 

 

 Thanks

 

Rob

nutcutlet

I'd cut out the dead/sick branches and see what you've got left. Anything without bark, or changes of colour in patches on the bark, (as in pic 2 on the branch coming off the one that goes to the right) has had it.

One of my laburnums has been loosing the odd branch for years but still survives. 

Jim Macd

there has to be a blance between the amount of leaves a tree has and the amount growth those leaves can sustain. If you think that growth is all over the tree from the tips to the girth at the base then there's an increasing amount of growth each year and not a balanced increase in the canopy of the tree so part of the tree will die once that balance tips in the direction of growth over leaf. Not easy to explain.

I'm assuming the cause isn't disease of course. If it is disease then you will need to cut off all dead or disease bit into clean wood with a clean saw.

We had a really old Laburnum that had lost it's main trunk, it was still a beautiful small shrub for years. So I agree with nut. Yours is a very beautiful tree so only take off what you have to.

robert cardinali

Hi guys

thanks for the replys, I will cut off the branches which have been affected and see how it goes. 

Gill Jacobs

My laburnam has been beautiful year after year, last year it was covered in blossom but this year it has hardly any and the leaves are green with yellow edges that are turning up, it is a dwarf tree. Can you advise.

Gill Jacobs

Ruth.manley

My Laburnum tree he started to die back . We cut of the tops of the branches earlier in the year because of this, but they are dying back further down the branches. We put weed supressansu down last year with gravel over. Was wondering if this was cause. Or the very dry summer.

Ruth.manley

My Laburnum tree he started to die back . We cut of the tops of the branches earlier in the year because of this, but they are dying back further down the branches. We put weed supressansu down last year with gravel over. Was wondering if this was cause. Or the very dry summer.

JennyJ

My laburnum's had bits dying back for the last several years.

I think I've read somewhere that they aren't long-lived as trees go (but I can't put my finger on where), and mine was mature when we bought the house almost 30 years ago, so I think it's just getting old.