Ailing young black walnut tree

Question: My black walnut tree (which I propagated from a seed/nut) is about 4 yrs old and last fall i noticed that some of the small branches had turned yellow and dropped off and had brown spots on the leaves. The trunk of the tree had broken curling layer (bark). I thought it was anthracnose. I added some slow release nitrogen to the soil about 10 days ago as the leaves were starting to come out. About 4 days ago, I noticed that some of the leaves at the ends were turning black, curling  and drying up. Do I have one problem or two? See attached pictures.

responder: Julie Crick  Replied May 30, 2023, 11:39 AM EDT
response: Hi Elaine, I have a few questions about the tree's location. Where is the tree growing? When you planted it, did you amend the soil? Is the soil wet or dry?  If the roots were too dry or too wet this spring, roots may be negatively impacted, causing the leaves at the tip to curl up and turn brown. This is called leaf scorch.  https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/leaf-scorch/ The condition of the bark may or may not be related to the leaf scorch. The image you posted was a bit fuzzy. Hoping you can attach another picture of the stem/bark? And answer a couple of questions. Do you see any holes in the trunk - especially around where the bark peeled off? Is the area under the peeled bark discolored? Even spotty discolored?  The answers to those questions will help me try to figure out what could be happening to the tree.  Please stay in touch.  Thank you! -Julie

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 31, 2023, 4:59 PM EDT
response: I live on a dirt road and this is in a sunny location with full sun. The soil is a sandy loam which I did not amend when I planted (I grew this from a seed/nut started in the fall of 2018). Last fall I noticed that the leaves and some of the branches had turned yellow and had brown spots…this is why I thought it had anthracnose and why I treated with slow release nitrogen this spring.  I have been watering it about 2x a week (2+ gallons each time) for about the last 3 weeks (since a little after out last rain). I hope this helps … it looks much better now  but still has those black curled leaves. I have attached more pictures which I hope are clearer although it was difficult to get it in focus and keep it in focus).    Sent from Mail for Windows  From: Ask ExtensionSent: Tuesday, May 30, 2023 11:39 AMTo: Elaine AndradeSubject: Re: Ailing young black walnut tree (#0102039)

responder: Julie Crick  Replied June 01, 2023, 2:58 PM EDT
response: Thank you, Elaine. I'm glad to see/read that the leaves are doing better. Could it have been a late frost that burned the terminal leaves?  Also, it is common for a walnut to have anthracnose at the end of the growing season. You are doing well by keeping it healthy enough to sustain the annual infection.  I'm wondering if the cracks in the bark are frost cracks? Are the cracks predominantly on the south and west side of the trunk? If so, it could be caused by the sun causing that side of the trunk to warm above freezing when nights are well below freezing. The bark splits as a result of the temperature swing.  I also found a publication that provides information about several things that could cause the bark on a black walnut to split.  https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/blackwalnut/trunkcracked.html Please let me know what you find, when you have a moment.  Thank you, -Julie

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 01, 2023, 6:01 PM EDT
response: Thanks for the info. After looking at those pictures, I think my tree looks pretty healthy. Yes, I think the frost problem is probably correct since it is on the east/southeast side of the trunk. I appreciate your consideration and hope you forgive my over abundance of caution…but the I did grow him from a seed and named him (Fennimore).On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 2:58 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Julie Crick  Replied June 02, 2023, 1:13 PM EDT
response: I'm glad it's nothing more serious for Finnimore. And I appreciate your dedication to the tree's health! Thank you, -Julie