Leaves turning yellow

[Chris Harris]

I was asked to look at a group of Hornbeams the other day that have been in the ground for 2 years, about 6 years old & on 3 of them their leaves have started to turn yellow. When it rains hard the ground becomes water logged due to poor drainage & can hang around for a couple of days before disappearing. The soil is a dense clay & i feel that there is'nt enough nutrients in it. I would like to know anyones thoughts to whether it is a lack of nutrients or water causing suffercation of the roots or both. Any ideas/thoughts would be welcomed:icon14:

[Lee Winger]

Plenty of nutrients in clay, in fact you won't find a soil type with more nutrients in it..

[Trav013]

Not familiar with the species but do the trees show/not show vigor? are the trees without yellow leaves grown faster/better?

 

Dig one up look for water logged roots and check soil conditions.

[Andy Collins]

Plenty of nutrients in clay, in fact you won't find a soil type with more nutrients in it..

 

This is fair enough, but wouldnt a young tree (newly planted) struggle to reach them in such heavy conditions?

[Lee Winger]

This is fair enough, but wouldnt a young tree (newly planted) struggle to reach them in such heavy conditions?

 

Not if the planting pit was properly prepared..

[cerneARB]

Could it be chemical damage? yellow leaves can indicate chemical poullution in young trees caused by herbicide containing amitrole.

[toprotter]

Water damage would cause the roots to die and be stained ? , new adventitious roots wood be present above with yellow (chlorotic )leaves.

When flush the trees would be affected more.

When planted different soil may have been used and if more porous the trees would sit in puddles even if the soil looked dryer

[Lee Winger]

I doubt its either of the above

[toprotter]

Hi lee

Maybe not !!

The site history as you know, is also an important factor in deduction.

The 'above' would be the symptoms / signs of water logging and by investigation and ticking boxes

it clears the way for proper thorough diagnosis.

 

I have come across similar on building sites where landfills and imported soils can cause all mysterious symptoms and head scratching!! lol