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CHLOROSIS
SYMPTOMS AND EFFECTS
Chlorosis is a common problem of trees in Michigan. Some trees are more susceptible than others, but it is a potential problem in all trees. Chlorosis is usually evident for many years and, left untreated, may end with the loss of the tree.
Chlorosis generally starts as a yellowing of the leaf tissue which can show as a pale green leaf when the leaf would normally be dark green in color. As the condition worsens the leaves will lose their ability to manufacture food and will fall from the tree. Chlorosis reduces the ability of the tree to produce food. As the tree loses its ability to produce food it will rely more on its stored energy. As the tree depletes this stored energy, whole branches and portions of the tree will begin to die. Over time the tree may decline enough to lose its aesthetic value, necessitating removal.
Chlorosis generally starts as a yellowing of the leaf tissue which can show as a pale green leaf when the leaf would normally be dark green in color. As the condition worsens the leaves will lose their ability to manufacture food and will fall from the tree. Chlorosis reduces the ability of the tree to produce food. As the tree loses its ability to produce food it will rely more on its stored energy. As the tree depletes this stored energy, whole branches and portions of the tree will begin to die. Over time the tree may decline enough to lose its aesthetic value, necessitating removal.
CAUSE
Chlorosis is caused by the tree being unable to produce chlorophyll. This is usually caused by a deficiency of essential micronutrients like iron, manganese, zinc or copper. Many times, this is caused by a soil pH that the tree is not suited for, or by a low level of nutrients in the soil, and in some cases even from an injury or disease causing a problem in the trees roots or stem limiting the amount of nutrients the tree can absorb and deliver to the leaves.
In the case of chlorosis caused by the soil pH, what is happening is that at different pH levels different nutrients are available in the soil. One common instance of this happens in Michigan oaks planted in soil with a pH level that is too high, causing the iron in the soil to bind with the soil making it unavailable to the tree. For this reason, your arborist may suggest taking a soil and foliar sample to assess the nutrient levels in both the soil and the leaves to confirm or rule this out as a possibility.
In the case of chlorosis caused by the soil pH, what is happening is that at different pH levels different nutrients are available in the soil. One common instance of this happens in Michigan oaks planted in soil with a pH level that is too high, causing the iron in the soil to bind with the soil making it unavailable to the tree. For this reason, your arborist may suggest taking a soil and foliar sample to assess the nutrient levels in both the soil and the leaves to confirm or rule this out as a possibility.
CONTROL
Prevention is the best option. The best way to prevent chlorosis is to research plants you would like to have in your landscape to confirm they are suitable for the pH level of your soil. When planting be careful not to damage the roots, and protect the roots during any construction projects going on around the tree.
If the problem is related to high soil pH, a pH reducer can be added to the soil to lower the current pH to an acceptable level. This can be a long process as soil pH can be difficult to change. Another option is to supply the plant with the lacking nutrient through either a soil injection where a nutrient rich fertilizer is added to the soil, or a trunk injection where the nutrient is injected directly into the trunk of the tree. Trunk injection shows the fastest results but in general should only be used to aid the tree while the underlying issue is being addressed.
The goal is to lower the soil pH to a level that the soil and tree are in balance and maintain that level in the future.
If the problem is related to high soil pH, a pH reducer can be added to the soil to lower the current pH to an acceptable level. This can be a long process as soil pH can be difficult to change. Another option is to supply the plant with the lacking nutrient through either a soil injection where a nutrient rich fertilizer is added to the soil, or a trunk injection where the nutrient is injected directly into the trunk of the tree. Trunk injection shows the fastest results but in general should only be used to aid the tree while the underlying issue is being addressed.
The goal is to lower the soil pH to a level that the soil and tree are in balance and maintain that level in the future.
Photo: Joseph O'Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
ALTERNATIVE PLANTING OPTIONS
If a lab test determines you have a high pH soil, there are several tree and shrub species available that you can plant that will tolerate a high soil pH. You should also be aware of the types of tree species in Michigan that will not tolerate high pH soil so you don't waste your time and money on a plant that will not thrive.
WILL TOLLERATE HIGH pH
Northern Catalpa
Common Hackberry
Ginkgo
Kentucky Coffee tree
Tulip-tree
Norway Spruce
English Oak
Bur Oak
London Plane tree
Honeylocust
Little leaf Linden
Elm
Dawn Redwood
Red Horsechestnut
Persian Parrotia
Ohio Buckeye
Miyabei Maple
Japanese Zelkova
Katsura tree
Hophornbeam
Swiss Stone Pine
Chestnut Oak
Chinkapin Oak
Tartarian Maple
Eastern Redbud
American Yellowwood
American Smoke tree
Amur Maackia
Weeping Mulberry
Crabapple
Hawthorn
Goldenrain tree
Japanese Tree Lilac
Amur Maple
Arborvitae
Eastern Red Cedar
Mugo Pine
Common Lilac
Nannyberry
Buttonbush
Redosier Dogwood
Burning Bush
Savin Juniper
Common Ninebark
Vanhoutte Spirea
Chinese Lilac
Tamarisk
WILL NOT TOLLERATE HIGH pH
Pin Oak
Red Maple
River Birch
White Oak
Black Gum
Willow Oak
Swamp White Oak
Sweet Gum
Baldcypress
Pear
Beech
Dogwood
Saucer Magnolia
Northern Red Oak
Fir
Larch
Pine
Hemlock
Serviceberry
Azalea
Rhododendron
● Leonard
Owen Tree Service provides tree, lawn, and landscape services to the following cities and towns:
Genesee County, Michigan:
● Burton
● Davison
● Flushing
● Goodrich
● Linden
● Otisville
● Clio
● Fenton
● Gaines
● Grand Blanc
● Montrose
● Otter Lake
● Flint
● Genesee
● Lennon
● Mt Morris
● Swartz Creek
Lapeer County, Michigan:
● Almont
● Brown City
● Columbiaville
● Imlay City
● Metamora
● Peck
● Attica
● Clifford
● Dryden
● Lapeer
● North Branch
● Sandusky
● Hadley
● Mayville
● Otter Lake
● Silverwood
Macomb County, Michigan:
● Armada
● Clinton Twp
● Grosse Pointe
● Macomb
● New Haven
● St Clair Shores
● Centerline
● Detroit
● Grosse Pointe Farms
● Ray
● Sterling Heights
● Chesterfield
● Eastpointe
● Grosse Pointe Shores
● Memphis
● Romeo
● Utica
● Clinton
● Fraser
● Grosse Pointe Woods
● Mt Clemens
● Roseville
● Warren
● Harrison Twp
● New Baltimore
● Shelby Twp
● Washington
Oakland County, Michigan:
● Auburn Hills
● Bloomfield Village
● Ferndale
● Orion
● South Lyon
● Berkley
● Clarkston
● Franklin
● Madison Heights
● Ortonville
● Southfield
● Beverly Hills
● Clawson
● Hazel Park
● Milford
● Oxford
● Troy
● Bingham Farms
● Commerce Twp
● Highland
● Novi
● Pleasant Ridge
● Walled Lake
● Birmingham
● Davisburg
● Holly
● Oak Park
● Pontiac
● Waterford
● Bloomfield
● Detroit
● Huntington Woods
● Oakland
● Rochester
● West Bloomfield
● Bloomfield Hills
● Farmington
● Lake Orion
● Oakland Twp
● Rochester Hills
● White Lake
● Farmington Hills
● Lathrup Village
● Orchard Lake
● Royal Oak
● Wixom
St. Clair County, Michigan:
● Algonac
● Casco
● East China
● Harbor Beach
● Lexington
● Peck
● Allenton
● Clay
● Emmett
● Harsens Island
● Marine City
● Port Huron
● Berlin
● Clyde
● Fair Haven
● Jeddo
● Marysville
● Richmond
● Brockway
● Columbus
● Fort Gratiot
● Kimball
● Memphis
● Sandusky
● Capac
● Cottrellville
● Goodells
● Lakeport
● North Street
● St Clair
