Hello, i have a Jacqueline Hillier Elm that loses leaves when the heat starts then recovers in late summer. But this year it started dropping leaves early and now about 3\4 of the leaves are off.
I’ve treated for insects both topically and systemically but no change.
It was growing great in fact in the area where there are still leaves its pushing new leaves every few days.
No other trees in my collection have responded this way.
Im having a time with my JH elms, too…
I have a 46", a 36" and many smaller JH Elm trees. They root from cuttings easily…
The two larger trees were in the ground for several years.
In ground, they were vigerous and healthy.
The 36" tree WAS 46". Secound year in a pot, the main trunk bark split (like yours…) carved and found live edge.
Third year— wood borer grubs infested the same area on the main trunk and killed the top trunk… I think I killed them all. The tree appears healthy this year; a little off yellow though…
The 46" tree must have had its roots froze last winter… It hasnt put out any leaves… We had several -5F nights…
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Check for wood borers… they make tunnels in the wood below the live bark; mine were active along the split bark areas… Tiny exit holes in the late spring are accompanied by frass and wood chewings…
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I LIKE to think I hand probed and killed them all…
I used Imidacloprid systemic on the live bark edge and soil… Im told systemics wont get to the grubs…
I alternated diazanon spray. The adults will bore and lay eggs…
Time will tell…
Where are you located? Check your local landscape elms for health… I think my grub infestation came from landscape Populous trees— they are dying from old age and borers…
KP
I’m in Idaho.
I carved the trunks to hide the cuts from where the branches were cut off when it was feild grown.
I’ve had the Elm in a pot for 7 years. It was just repotted this spring. Never had it lose leaves like this.
Thanks for feedback and advice.