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Are your trees WILTING ? For the past few weeks, I have received numerous calls and have done the inspections on trees with wilting foliage, some with complete de-foliation and apparent die-back of 50% of the tree. There are many trees that because of severe draught conditions and lack of wet snow during the winter and …”.no application of water by the owners”, they are now showing signs of demise. Trees wilt in many instances, like construction damage, borer infestation, root rot as well as a fungus called…” VERTICILIUM”. Verticilium Wilt is a phenomena that shows up predominately in trees like Catalpa and Maple and other ornamental trees, but also appears in flowers and vegetables. BUT for this article’s purpose let us stay with this fungus “Verticilium” infected tree. The leaves turn yellow at the edges, then brown, then they wilt and die. The tree may die slowly over several seasons or rapidly in just one season. There is no know chemical control on this soil-inhabiting fungi, this disease enters the root system, then moves up to the branches to the leaves, the vessels become plugged, and cuts off the water and nutrients uptake. Some of these plants may outgrow the disease with proper care. Do not remove the branches on which the leaves are wilting, they may recover in 30 days or the next season, just remove the dead branches, fertilize with ammonium sulphate and water to stimulate vigorous growth.( DO NOT fertilize the tree beyond the growing season, approx. mid August). It will take a knowledgeable person to detect and analyze whether or not you are dealing with the Verticilium Wilt, please contact CSU Tri-River Extension service or myself for additional assistance. In discussing this problem with Dr.Curtis Swift @ CSU , I came across many signs and indications that had to be dismissed as “Verticilium Wilt”. There are varieties of resistant species to this fungus, please contact CSU/Ext.Service @ 970-244-1706.
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