Catalpa

[Steve Bullman]

Customer wanted an opinion on 2 catalpas today. no visible signs of fungus on either tree, both growing on open lawn, both trees looking generally unwell and shedding plenty of foliage. i diagnosed a possible mineral defficency and recommended soil feeding. anyone have any opinions on this?

[Andy Collins]

I'm not convinced that this is suffering from chlorosis. I think, given the fact that the area is frequently mown, compaction of the soil may be the issue here. Catalpas do drop their leaves early, in fact one of the first trees to do so. This would explain the lack of chlorophyll in the leaves. Compaction will reduce the working ability of the roots to absorb nutrition from the soil, and a heavy dense carpet of lawn competeing for the nutrients would explain the poor show of flowers and poor appearance of the leaf canopy.

[Steve Bullman]

its on a very acidic soil up there....i think its definetly worth exploring

[Andy Collins]

Hmmm as the soil is chalky I think you may find it is Alkali rather than acidic!!

I agree that Catalpas do require deep fertile soil in which to thrive tho'

[RPA]

This is exactly why I look into the forum every day - thanks for helping me to 'expand' my knowledge:151:

 

Cant really offer anything constructive ex have they put any down any strange lawn feed etc?

(may have adjusted alkalinity etc)

[Steve Bullman]

thats a good question which i probably should have asked!

[Andy Collins]

In retrospect I think they may care more for their lawns than they do for the trees, judging by the pruning cuts on the Catalpas

[RPA]

In retrospect I think they may care more for their lawns than they do for the trees, judging by the pruning cuts on the Catalpas

 

Looks to me like one of those where you give the customer some advice on basic pruning knowing fine well they aint paying a shite of attention:bash:

[Amelanchier]

Are they just plain vanilla Catalpas or are they C. bignonoides 'Aurea'? I don't see many either way but the varient is susceptible to sun scorch...

 

I do agree that the grass looks way to nice to be 'natural'. Saw some Acer platanoides recently that had been shafted by the combined effects of aeration and scarification on shallow roots.

 

Then again, could be something like Verticillium wilt? Probably best all round treatment would be give it some nice mulch out to the dripline, lawnlovers go for that every time!!!

[Steve Bullman]

not sure on the variety to be honest tony....didnt notice anything different about it so id assume it would be a common variety