My front yard tree is really thin this year. The leaves seem to be curling even though we have had a ton of rain. Any ideas on what kind of tree it is or what could be the problem? We were in a draught last year but it seemed ok with the amount of yard watering it got.

carr0406 said: My front yard tree is really thin this year. The leaves seem to be curling even though we have had a ton of rain. Any ideas on what kind of tree it is or what could be the problem? We were in a draught last year but it seemed ok with the amount of yard watering it got.

The leaves are curling, that's usually a sign of too dry. Its also showing some nutrient problems.

Are you deep watering or is it living on lawn water? Are you using weed and feed on your lawn?

That looks like you have a Green Ash there (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), though some clearer pictures of branches and pinnate compound leaf attachment thereto would help clarify the ID.

I suspect some Ash anthracnose is in play here, too, given your statement about "...a ton of rain..."

Are you aware of reports or activity of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in the Minneapolis area? If your tree is under stress from that kind of infestation, your mitigation choices may be very different. It is NOT a friendly foe.

More info on EAB in MN can be found here...

https://extension.umn.edu/tree...

Thanks for the responses,

I used the crabgrass preventer granuals in the spring but no weed and feed as I did hear it stays in the ground a long time and could be bad for trees. We have had a really wet summer so I haven't watered it nor have I had to in past years I will give it a good water today. Could be ash borer or some other insect too. I found a product called bioadvanced 12 month tree and shrub protect and feed which I will try and water in. Thanks for all the advice.

This tree may also have been planted too deeply. Pull away some of the soil around the trunk to see if you can expose the root flare.

Crabgrass preventer may contain the herbicides dicamba and 2,4-d. These can be toxic to trees.

Thank you again, I've pulled back a few inches of top soil from the base and cut a landscape fabric away which was pretty tight to the trunk. This tree has been here for many years without us having issues. Fingers crossed it bounces back.

Just to share a picture after I pulled back the top soil I did find 2 quarter end roots tight on what of the main trunk roots. I cut those off but am hesitant to do much else. Seems like the roots are all very close to the survace maybe due to the landscape fabric? I'll cover the roots back up unless anyone else see's something that should be cleared away. thanks.

That looks good. Don't add any dirt back. Also good you cut out the strangling roots.