You may have a gum tree in your yard currently shedding bark or with dead branches. Is this an early sign it is dying?.
Damage to the crown, cracks in the trunk, too much dead wood, dry soil, weak, brown, or spotted leaves, and pests are all signs that a gum tree is dying.
Some of these signs do not necessarily mean a tree is dying. We go into more detail below about what to look for with the above signs.
Sweet gum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua) are prized for their beautiful star-shaped leaves that turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow in fall. But like any tree, sweet gums can encounter problems that lead to decline. If your sweet gum is showing worrying signs, it’s important to recognize and address them quickly. This guide covers the key indicators of a dying sweet gum tree and what you can do to try to save it.
Understanding Sweet Gum Trees
Sweet gums are large deciduous trees native to the eastern United States. They can reach 60-100 feet tall at maturity and have a pyramidal shape with sturdy branches. Sweet gums thrive in moist, acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. They are hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
Signs Your Sweet Gum Tree is Dying
Watch for these symptoms that may indicate your sweet gum is in decline
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Sparse foliage – Branches have little or no leaves giving the tree a thin appearance.
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Discolored leaves – Leaves turn yellow, brown or black instead of their normal green.
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Wilting leaves – Leaves appear limp, droopy and shriveled.
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Early fall color – Leaves turn color and drop much sooner than normal in fall.
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Loss of vigor – Lack of new growth on branches and twigs.
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Dieback – Dead branches or bud loss, starting at the tips.
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Fungus growth – Mushrooms or conks emerging on bark.
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Holes in trunk – Hollows or cavities where bark is missing.
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Cracks in bark – Deep vertical cracks or splits in trunk.
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Bleeding – Oozing sap from cracks in the bark.
What Causes Sweet Gum Decline?
Sweet gum trees can suffer from an array of problems leading to dieback and death:
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Improper planting – Wrong climate or unsuitable planting site.
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Soil issues – Compaction, poor drainage, or nutrient deficiencies.
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Drought stress – Insufficient water during hot, dry periods.
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Pest damage – Caterpillars, borers, bagworms, and other pests.
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Diseases – Fungal infections like canker diseases and root rot.
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Frost injury – Freezing damage to new growth and buds.
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Old age – Sweet gums live 80-150 years on average.
Reviving a Stressed Sweet Gum Tree
If caught early, a struggling sweet gum may be nursed back to health. Try these revival methods:
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Improve soil drainage and aerate compacted soil.
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Deep water during drought and mulch to retain moisture.
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Test soil and amend to optimum pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
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Apply micronutrient supplements if deficient.
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Prune out dead branches and treat diseases/pests.
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Protect trunk from lawn mower and weed trimmer damage.
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Fertilize lightly in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer.
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Consider transplanting to a more suitable location if improperly sited.
When to Remove a Dying Sweet Gum Tree
If the tree shows extensive decline with over 50% dieback, removal may be necessary. Warning signs it is too late to save the tree:
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Major limb loss, leaving an imbalanced form.
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Pervasive fungus and large cavities in trunk.
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Severe cracking or major bark loss.
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Little evidence of life when scratched.
A certified arborist can assess the situation and determine if the sweet gum can be revived or should be removed before it becomes a safety hazard. They can also provide guidance on replacing the tree if needed.
Providing Proper Care for Your Sweet Gum
The best defense is preventing sweet gum problems through proper planting and care:
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Select cold-hardy sweet gum varieties suitable for your climate.
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Give the tree plenty of space to grow and avoid compacting soil.
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Water 1-2 inches per week, adjusting for rainfall.
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Prune crossed or dense branches to improve structure.
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Promote vigor with spring fertilization every 2-3 years.
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Monitor for pests like aphids, borers, and caterpillars.
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Prevent root damage from mowers, string trimmers, and vehicles.
With attention to its needs, your sweet gum can thrive for years to come, rewarding you with its outstanding fall color. Check it regularly and address any concerning symptoms right away. By catching issues early, you have the best chance of reviving your sweet gum and enjoying its beauty for many more seasons.
Signs of a dying gum tree
There are more ways than one to identify a dying gum tree. If your eucalyptus tree has lived up to 200 years, it may be getting close to the end of its life. Even though age isn’t the only thing that can kill the tree, it’s important to remember that it will get old.
Brittle and lackluster bark
It might not be a big deal if the tree loses its shine and color, especially if the season is right for it. In the fall and winter, trees don’t look as good as they should because they’re trying to stay alive in the cold and dry weather.
However, something is wrong when a tree becomes constantly brown without its usual luster and brightness. It might take a while to watch because a dying gum tree doesn’t just wilt and fall over right away. If the trend continues and it does not regain its color, it may be dying.
A cracked tree trunk is close to the heels of a brittle and dull bark. Sometimes, a tree has cracks on the trunk, which mean nothing. When the weather permits, the gaps close up as the tree becomes healthy and thrives. There may not be much time left for the tree to live, though, if the cracks don’t close up after a while.
Check the gum tree for these cracks on the trunk. Splits that go deep enough to show the inside of the trunk are a sign that the tree is dying. If the exposed holes look dry and brittle, the tree may already be dead.
A healthy and thriving gum tree has green leaves. The leaves fall off when the weather gets cold or too dry, but they grow back when the weather lets them. The tree may be dying, though, if the leaves get spots or break easily, even during planting and growing season.
It’s also a sign of trouble if the leaves turn brown and weak but stay on the branches and don’t fall off in the fall or winter. If you think the gum tree is dying, look at the leaves, even if there aren’t any strong signs that they are stressed. Some streaks may look out of the ordinary, alerting you to a problem with the tree.
Seeing some deadwood around any tree is not worth mentioning. It happens all the time and is usually a sign a tree is healthy. The same applies to a gum tree. Although, if the tree starts to lose too much dead wood and it stands out, it may mean that it is dying.
You may want to pay attention to how much deadwood falls from the gum tree. If the amount keeps going up, even in the spring or summer, the tree might need to be cut down. This is because a dying or dead tree could break and fall at any time, putting people in danger.
If the prevailing weather is dry, it may explain the dry soil around the gum tree. All you may need to do is water the soil to keep the roots hydrated. During drought, this is how things are usually done, but trees don’t usually die from dry soils unless the drought lasts for a long time.
But if the ground around the tree looks dry, it could mean that the tree isn’t getting enough water. It may also mean the roots take more than the soil can offer without getting enough. The tree may die if manual watering or irrigation does not work.
If you notice certain pests on a gum tree, it clearly signifies the tree is dying. Pests such as carpenter ants and bark beetles are prevalent in weak, dying, or dead trees. Being familiar with these insects helps you recognize whether or not you need professional help. If you don’t know what they look like, you should have a professional look at the tree.
Also, mushrooms growing on the trunk or roots indicate that the roots are rotting. The same is true if you find cankers on the trunk, which are depressed or discolored areas. Bacterial or fungal infections are signs the tree is dying. With time, the infections will spread to other parts of the tree and may cause more damage.
A few other signs tell you a gum tree is dying. If the root looks discolored or damaged, have a professional look at the tree. Due to the fact that the roots are not easily visible, it may be hard to tell if the plant is suffering and how bad the damage is. The trick is to keep an eye on any exposed root part for signs of weakness or wear.
Additionally, improper balance or leanness is a sign the tree is stressed. It could happen slowly or all of a sudden, but if the gum tree starts to look off-balance or thin, you should check on its health. A weak tree will usually lean, but if it bends more than fifteen degrees from straight up, it might never get back to normal. From there, it may eventually die. FEATURED AND TRUSTED BY:
Signs of a Sick Tree
FAQ
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