We have a sapling sassafras we planted last year that has grown from about 1.5-2' to 5' tall over the course of the last two growing seasons. It was doing fantastically until about four or five days ago when we noticed it was wilting. Being an upland plant and fairly established already I couldn't imagine that it was really in need of water, especially since we'd had 7" of rain the week before. I watered it and thought maybe it was just the heat, but now I'm wondering if moles or any other burrowing animals have disturbed the roots. Does this happen? We do have moles in our yard as is evidenced by the feral cats that drag them up as a prize for us.
No other trees are showing signs of wilting, just that one. Are there sassafras diseases? Any ideas what might be causing the wilt?
