Sick Holly

[Carl Riehm]

I have an American Holly (Ilex opaca), planted in 1985, now over 20' high

- probably close to 25'. It has been sick for several years.

One person who claimed to be an expert on I.opaca said I should use Cygon

2E, in spite of the fact that it warned on the label not to use it on hollies. I did use it and almost killed the tree.

I just sprayed it this morning with "dormant" fungicide spray ("97% mineral oil" according to the label). I was also going to spray it with a dormant insecticide, until I noticed a warning against using it on hollies.

There are a few pictures of affected leaves here:

fact many of the leaves are much worse - there is also a seedling of about 2 1/2 feet which is much worse - many of the leaves are completely dead.

Can anyone recognize the problem? Maybe *more* than one problem?

Solutions?

Carl

[told2b]

[William Wagner]

Sometimes you have to take the sick trees out and not plant new ones in the same place for years. Looks nasty and with it on a nearby plant contagious. If other folks in the neighborhood have Hollies it might be advisable to have a county agent look at it for safe disposal.

Bill

[symplastless]

Your problem may me improper pruning and or Troubles in the Rhizosphere

see A touch of chemistry. John A. Keslick, Jr. Arborist Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology. Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us that we are not the boss.