I planted a black elder about 4/5 weeks ago. It is dying from the bottom up [leaves turning paler color and falling off]. What could be the cause? Other shrubs planted at same time in same area are all ok. I would buy another but if I don't know what I did wrong, I could do it again.
There may be air pockets in the soil, which are preventing the roots from taking up water. This can be alleviated by flooding the area with water and tamping down the soil around the plant to collapse any air pockets.
If this does not seem to be the issue, check the drainage to ensure that your soil is not staying too wet for the plant, which can lead to root rot - often seen with yellowing, wilting and dropping of leaves.
Finally, it could be a fungus of some sort affecting your tree. Treat with a general fungicide like Neem oil.
The leaves on all the branches from the main trunk of my Black lace Elderberry wilted literally over night. Yesterday it looked fine and healthy, today the leaves are on all branches coming from the main trunk are severely wilted. The new growth still looks fine. I have had the shrub about 8 years and this is the first time this has happened. It is growing in part shade, zone 6. What could it be and what should I do?
While most Elderberry plants are susceptible to various fungi, viruses and borers, Black Lace is particularly susceptible to Verticilium Wilt and borers. The only way to confirm if a disease is causing this dieback would be to send a sample to a diagnostic lab which you may want to do if the same pattern occurs in the next growing season.
For now, I suggest you prune back your plant to within a foot of the ground (which will encourage new growth in the spring). As you cut off the woody stems, look to see if there is any sign of borer damage on the inside of each branch. If not, then most likely the dieback was caused by a fungus or disease. Except for Verticilim Wilt, most diseases are manageable with the use of fungicides and good environmental controls.
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The root system is shallow, but take a wide area around it.
Large trees, up to 70 feet or more should be planted at least 20 feet from the home, medium-sized trees up to 70 feet tall, 15 feet from the home, and small trees 30 feet tall or less, 8 to 10 feet from the home.
Pink clusters of flowers with dark red leaf
That would be Sambucus nigra, or the Elderberry.This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/elderberry/elderberry-bush-varieties.htm
Just transplanted a black lace elderberry and looks bad
Transplanting in summer adds heat stress to the already stressed plant. You need to keep it well watered (but not swampy) to help it recover. Hopefully you got most of the roots in the translocation. Mulch around it to conserve moisture and keep roots cool. If it is in a full sun site consider erecting a shade cloth for the hottest part of the day.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/dealing-with-heat-stress.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/shade-cover-tips.htm
I have an old elder tree which has one or two strong branches which appear to be stripped of bark. What is the reason for this? At the base about 5 new shoots of about 5 ft have appeared with flowers budding. The tree has recently been pruned.
The stripped bark could be cankers. Here is info about those.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/cankers-on-trees.htm
I would remove the suckers. Pruning can stimulate the production of suckers.
I planted the shrub last year and it has done really well. However, over the past few months I have noticed the leaves and branches of the plant are now turning a light brown colour. Please help, I love this plant!
This could have a few causes. Make sure that they have all of the nutrients that they need, and that their soil pH stays around 5.5 to 6.5.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
They prefer moist soils over dry, so it is important to keep them watered, well.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
There are a few diseases that may be cured with a fungicide, as well.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/test-soil-for-pests-and-diseases.htm
Thank you for the advice. I do wonder if it could be ants? There are a few nests around this area.