Dying Rowan Tree

Magnum

My Rowan tree is showing signs that it may be dying. The leaves are starting to turn brown and the bark is splitting open on the trunk. Has anyone any ideas what is causing this? I had exactly the same problem with another about 3 years ago with the leaves not falling in the Autumn when they had totally turned brown and the bark on the trunk showed the same splitting. I had to resort to felling and replacing it.

Daintiness

H Rowan-Mountain Ash Diseases

Healthy Mountain Ash trees are gorgeous specimens that can help brighten up even the most unattractive yards. However, the species is not immune to diseases that can rob it of its beauty and charm.

Among the most common infections that afflict the Mountain Ash tree include:

• Cytospora Canker: This fungal disease targets the tree's trunk and branches by peppering it with brown, irregular shaped cankers. The ugly pimple-like masses can ooze and spread throughout the Mountain Ash. In severe case, the disease can kill the tree.
• Fire Blight: This infection kills the tree's flowers and leaves. Symptoms include black leaves, brown flower clusters and spores that ooze slime and infect the tree's branches.
• Leaf Spot: This shows as irregular, brown spots on leaves. If left untreated, tiny, black spores will form as well. Advance cases also cause leaves to drop prematurely.

Mountain Ash is also susceptible to sawflies which can defoliate the tree within a few days.

 Found the above while surfing and thought it might help you with a diagnosis!

Magnum

 This is what the leaves, berries and bark look like. Looks like it might be Leaf Spot plus something else. Anyone any ideas what it is and how to cure it?

 

 

 

BobTheGardener

That splitting of the bark at the base of the tree looks extremely serious and possibly a sign of Honey fungus, unfortunately.  It would also explain why you recently lost another one.  Have a look at the RHS advice:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=180

 

Magnum

Bob,

Thanks for that. However, looking at the RHS link you sent me I don't think its Honey Fungus as there are no signs at the base of the tree and the splits in the bark go up to at lease 3m.

BobTheGardener

It might be another form of fungus, Magnum.  Try poking a large screwdriver etc through one of the cracks in the bark into the heartwood of the tree.  It should be solid.  If it crumbles, then the heartwood is rotting and it will be terminal as the wood will have lost it's strength and the tree will be prone to being blown down by the wind, or branches may fall under their own weight, making it dangerous.  Have a good sniff through the cracks too - any hint of a "mushroomy" smell would also indicate a fungal infection.  Those are not treatable, unfortunately.

Magnum

 This is what it looks like under the bark. There is no mushroomy smell and no signs of oozing. A screwdriver only goes in about 5mm.

 

 

BobTheGardener

I think Buddyboy is right.

SJM

I have a similar problem and from the thread I think that my tree has Leaf Spot.  I have been unable to find any information relating to the treatment (if there is one) .  Any information would be appreciated.

bodakar

Ive got 2 trees one garden centre bought another from wild stock the one from wild stock has grown the bigger but both have always had good foliage and berries to feed the local birds the wild one this rear is bare of folage and berries the other is still looking lovely covered in leaf and berry the wild one my favoured one looks so sad and the branches are looking deformed with big knobbly growths any idea whats wrong with it

Magnum

Just to let you all know. No sign of sprouting this year so fell victim to the chainsaw. Centre of trunk bone dry with no sap rising.