Help Me With My Holly, Please?

missprissed · Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Irving,TEXAS

My 9' weeping Yaupon Holly has just about up and died in about 4 days time. The top 75% of the tree has been affected and the bottom 25% is following quickly. The leaves and berries started turning and now are almost black in color, falling off once they are totally dried out. I have discovered several pinholes (12-15 I think) in the tree trunk...they are very small and almost perfectly round. I've not seen anything enter them or come from them so I have no idea what's doing it, or if that is even the problem. Any assistance will be so appreciated...I have loved and cared for this tree a long time and I hate to lose it, especially so suddenly! Ideas? :cry: Thanks

Kathe Kitchens · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 829 Location: Dallas,TX

What you describe sounds like either a chemical contaminant or a bacterial infection. Was the tree heavily watered suddenly or could there be an underground contamination of some kind? Was there a leak somewhere? Damage to the roots or near the base of the tree could also have caused this.

A "hard pan" or thick, impenetrable layer beneath the tree's roots could have caused a pooling of water that lead to anaerobic bacterial growth and a die-back of roots. I've found it in trees and bushes that have struggled along for years, and then expired from their root problems.
Was the flare exposed? That is one of those issues that can sneak up on an older plant also.

I'm sorry no one answered until now, but if you've lost your holly, perhaps this can prevent you losing anotherin the future, or maybe if it's not too late to save the one you have.
Hope that helps! :D
Kathe