Random branch die off on ume

[Lars Grimm]

Hi All,

I have a nice little ume that has been doing very well until recently. It leafed out in spring and I already did my first cut back. All of a sudden random branches have started to die off. The leaves just suddenly shriveled up and died. They are not clustered on one side or area. In one spot a secondary branch on a main branch died while leaving the others. The rest of the tree is perfectly healthy. I have limited experience with ume and have had this one for two years now without any prior problems. The tree has been getting appropriate water and we have had decent weather. Any ideas?

A front and back view of the tree.

 

[Dav4]

Look for frass which would indicate a borer has taken up shop somewhere under the bark and likely cut the cambium to the branch. If not that, perhaps some trauma to the branch base itself? I've found Ume to be extremely vigorous except in the face of insect damage, of which borers are by far the worst.

 

[Lars Grimm]

Look for frass which would indicate a borer has taken up shop somewhere under the bark and likely cut the cambium to the branch. If not that, perhaps some trauma to the branch base itself? I've found Ume to be extremely vigorous except in the face of insect damage, of which borers are by far the worst.

Thanks for the insights. It's definitely not trauma given the distribution, which you can't see in the pictures. I'll take a really close look for frass before I next water it.

 

[River's Edge]

Hi All,

I have a nice little ume that has been doing very well until recently. It leafed out in spring and I already did my first cut back. All of a sudden random branches have started to die off. The leaves just suddenly shriveled up and died. They are not clustered on one side or area. In one spot a secondary branch on a main branch died while leaving the others. The rest of the tree is perfectly healthy. I have limited experience with ume and have had this one for two years now without any prior problems. The tree has been getting appropriate water and we have had decent weather. Any ideas?

A front and back view of the tree.
View attachment 437329View attachment 437330

My first inclination would be to remove the tree from the pot and examine the roots. It may be past time for a repot or there may be issues hidden below. terra cotta pots can hold considerable moisture and have limited drainage unless extra holes have been drilled in the bottom. So I would check the roots first.

 

[Pine_nut]

Hi All,

I have a nice little ume that has been doing very well until recently. It leafed out in spring and I already did my first cut back. All of a sudden random branches have started to die off. The leaves just suddenly shriveled up and died. They are not clustered on one side or area. In one spot a secondary branch on a main branch died while leaving the others. The rest of the tree is perfectly healthy. I have limited experience with ume and have had this one for two years now without any prior problems. The tree has been getting appropriate water and we have had decent weather. Any ideas?

A front and back view of the tree.
View attachment 437329View attachment 437330

Did you figure out what was causing the die back? How is the tree doing?