What is attacking my tree?

Question: Hello, We have noticed that many of them branches of our tree have not sprouted leaves and the ones that have look like bugs have eaten them. Do you know what might be happening and what we can do about this? Also, do you know what kind of tree this is? We aren't sure

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 01, 2023, 1:57 PM EDT
response: Hello, Anita and thanks for the question.  It's hard to tell from these photos what type of tree or what type of insect might be nibbling on the leaves. From what I can see in the photos, it's possible it could be some type of poplar or perhaps a cottonwood. Please send back some photos that show a close up of an uncurled leaf, one that shows a full branch with clarity of several leaves and the branch, one of the full tree and a further-away photo showing the tree's surroundings. Please ensure the photos are clear and not backlit (e.g., please photograph it with your back to the sun.) From that, we should be easily able to tell what tree it is and get more information about a potential pest problem.  Two more notes:  1) Re: branches not sprouting leaves: I can say that, with this very cool and wet spring, many trees have been very late to leaf out. from the photos, it appears that the tree does have sufficient foliage to photosynthesize to produce it's food, so hopefully it's not a big issue, but it's potentially too early to tell. Our current recommendation is to give it a 2-3 more weeks to see how it does and if it's not recovering, please write back with more photos and any symptoms you see.   2) Insects Attacking: Again, with this moist, cool spring producing fewer leaves for our insects to eat or use for nesting material, many of our beneficial insects and those we don't think of so fondly have less to share this spring, so I'm noticing a few more holes in my garden leaves this spring. The leaf damage you've shown in the close up looks minimal to me, and to my gardener's eyes, I wouldn't call it damage (again, just from that one photo.)   A good rule of thumb is that if there are only a few small similarly-shaped holes, it's likely that it's leaf-cutter bee or other native beneficial pollinators behaving normally without damaging the tree. However, if you're seeing significant damage that you worry will harm the tree or that adversely impacts overall appearance of the tree to an unacceptable level, we will be able to see that and provide advice based on the photos I requested above.   I hope this helps.  Best regards, Joanne, Boulder Counter Master Gardener Volunteer

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 01, 2023, 2:51 PM EDT
response: Hello,Thanks for your quick response. I really appreciate it. I want sure if there was anyone that monitored this service.  There definitely does seem to be a lot of leaf damage. Many of the leaves have multiple holes.  Also, many if the branches are brittle and seem dead. Let me know if these photos work. It is kinda hard to get photos away from the sun since the other side would be from my neighbors yard Thanks!!AnitaOn Thu, Jun 1, 2023, 11:57 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 01, 2023, 5:12 PM EDT
response: Hello again,Also, not sure if this is relevant but there is this yellowish stuff all over the bark of the tree. On Thu, Jun 1, 2023, 11:57 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 02, 2023, 1:28 PM EDT
response: Dear Anita,  Using the picture you sent and the Identification Key for Woody Plants, it appears that this is an apricot.  I'm questioning this diagnosis since I would imagine that you would have seen blossoms and/or fruit on this tree in the past.  However, in Boulder County it is possible to have an apricot that 'hasn't revealed itself' as my co-volunteer said her tree hasn't bloomed in the ~10 years since it was planted.  So, assuming it is an apricot, see attached url.  https://ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/apricot/shot-hole-disease/  As for the yellow stuff on the bark, I couldn't really see detail on the photo.  Perhaps this url is it. https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/cytospora-canker-2-937/  Hope this helps, pam CMG volunteer