What's happening to my tree?

Question: Hello! I believe this is a red bud and we LOVE it, but one of the branches/limbs appears to be dying. Can you tell me what's wrong and what we should do?

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied August 06, 2024, 9:25 PM EDT
response: Good Evening Cheri,  Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service.  From viewing your photos, I can see the dead branch. Could it have been damaged by the wind? Is the branch broken?  Have you inspected the dead leaves, live leaves and the branches for signs of disease or insects?  Please click on the following link about redbud trees: ww.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=280440&isprofile=1&basic=Cercis%20canadensis This information states:  Problems Canker can be a significant disease problem. Verticillium wilt, dieback, leaf spots, mildew and blights may also occur. Insect pests include Japanese beetles, tree hoppers, leaf hoppers, caterpillars, borers, webworms and scale. Keeping the tree vigorous by regular watering, fertilization and pruning out dead branches as needed will help keep the tree healthy. Deer tend to avoid this plant. From viewing your photo, the tree appears to be surrounded by rock and could be near a driveway. Have the roots been disturbed or chopped for any reason?  To help the tree thrive, I would suggest removing the landscape rock below the tree. Replace it with wood chip mulch a few inches away from the trunk out to the drip line of the branches. The wood chip mulch will protect the roots, hold moisture and keep the roots cool.  The landscape rock appears to heat up with the hot sun, reflecting the heat and heating up the surrounding soil and also the roots. I am assuming you watered it during the past two or three drought years.  Here is another link about pruning trees in late winter: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs Good Luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 07, 2024, 1:28 PM EDT
response: Hi Maureen,  Thank you. The tree is next to our driveway but the base is surrounded by mulch, not rock (though there is rock on the other side of the walkway). The roots have not been disturbed. It's highly possible that it is just stressed from our weird weather. It's not just one branch that is affected...the base of the tree has three main parts to the trunk...it is all of the branches off one of the three parts. It has not been damaged by wind and the leaves just seem to be dried up (I don't see any signs of fungus or insects).   We'll just keep our fingers crossed that it comes back in the spring.   Thank you again for the information.    On Tue, Aug 6, 2024 at 8:25 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied August 08, 2024, 8:00 AM EDT
response: Cheri,  Here is a link to finding a certified arborists, if you choose to hire one: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional Good Luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 08, 2024, 8:04 AM EDT
response: Thank you! Sent from my iPhone On Aug 8, 2024, at 7:00 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied August 08, 2024, 8:33 AM EDT
response: You are welcome!