What's wrong with my ash tree? *Pictures inside* (Phoenix, Elgin: Home Depot, neighborhood)

[HX_Guy]

I think it has, or had, some sort of disease but it appears to be coming out of it now.

It's a Fan-Tex Ash and it did great at the beginning of spring, the leaves all came in as normal, in clusters as they seem to do on this tree, but then it stopped growing for about a 1-2 months and it just had these wrinkled up clusters of leaves. They aren't dried out it seems but they are sort of touch and have almost like a white residue on them.

Finally in the last couple weeks it started having new growth again but you can see the weird leaf clusters still there. Very odd.

[miamiman]

It might have something to do with the fact that we're in a hot desert.... Cut it down and replace it with a palo verde or ironwood. Then start complaining if those trees aren't healthy.

Why do people plan non-native trees here and act confused when the trees are in poor shape? It's just like the queen palm trees in the Valley. 95 percent look terrible, with brown fronds and other ailments, but yet people keep planting them as if their tree will look different than all the rest.

[wit-nit]

OP your tree with the curled leaves indicates you have thrips causing the damage. They are a miniscule insect that sucks the juices out of the trees leaves. Google thrips for control.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by miamiman

It might have something to do with the fact that we're in a hot desert.... Cut it down and replace it with a palo verde or ironwood. Then start complaining if those trees aren't healthy.

Why do people plan non-native trees here and act confused when the trees are in poor shape? It's just like the queen palm trees in the Valley. 95 percent look terrible, with brown fronds and other ailments, but yet people keep planting them as if their tree will look different than all the rest.

Ash makes a wonderful shadetree, Palo Verdes provide little shade and are very messy.

People should plant whatever they want to, and other people would do best to mind their own beeswax.

[AZgarden]

Looks exactly like my Lemon tree. I bought some Oil based bug control stuff at Home Depot and have sprayed it twice. Tree looks good now and is making new leaves.

[wit-nit]

Fan-Tex Ash (Fraxinus velutina ‘Fan-Tex') Ariz Ash
A deciduous tree that thrives in hot, dry climates. Native to the South west. The very large, dark green leaflets open in early spring, and turn golden-yellow in late fall. The foliage resists wind burn. Excellent shade or lawn tree. Height: 50' Spread: 30'

Ash trees are susceptible to Texas root rot, thrips, ash borers and aphid damage, due to stress or drought conditions.

Using oil based sufficants or systemic insecticides can control most insects.

[JoeC]

Originally Posted by miamiman

It might have something to do with the fact that we're in a hot desert.... Cut it down and replace it with a palo verde or ironwood. Then start complaining if those trees aren't healthy.

Why do people plan non-native trees here and act confused when the trees are in poor shape? It's just like the queen palm trees in the Valley. 95 percent look terrible, with brown fronds and other ailments, but yet people keep planting them as if their tree will look different than all the rest.

Originally Posted by nitram

Fan-Tex Ash (Fraxinus velutina ‘Fan-Tex') Ariz Ash
A deciduous tree that thrives in hot, dry climates. Native to the South west. The very large, dark green leaflets open in early spring, and turn golden-yellow in late fall. The foliage resists wind burn. Excellent shade or lawn tree...

... and that puts paid to that comment.

From The Elgin Nursery site:

"Q. Why are the leaves of my citrus tree deformed and fruit is scarred?

A. Throughout the growing seasons there is an insect called a thrip. They feed on the new growth of young citrus leaves and stems. By the time the leaf has matured the damage is done and the thrip is gone. Only aesthetic, cosmetic damage is caused and generally does not effect fruit-production. There are different controls used for thrips. Speak with your neighborhood Nursery Professional for the best recommendations."



Damage looks similar.

The Elgin Nursery - Successfully Grow Desert Plants in the Phoenix Area

[roosevelt]

It is Wooly Aphids, spray with Ortho insecticide for plants.

[HX_Guy]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

It is Wooly Aphids, spray with Ortho insecticide for plants.

Yea, that's what it seems to be from the research I did today. It says to use a high pressure hose to spray the leaves which will knock them down and then do an Ortho treatment if you like. Freaking sucks, but now I know to do it for next year as a preventive measure.

[wit-nit]

This is what wooly aphids should look like on your tree stems. I don't see that in your photos. If you don't see these aphids then you have thrips which are common.
Google Image Result for http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2579244134_4b510ffbea.jpg