Back in 2015, a young tree was planted in front of my house. It was an Armstrong Maple, and was a replacement for an ash tree that had been killed by an infestation of the nasty Emerald Ash Borer. I was excited about my beautiful new tree. I called him Mr. Armstrong, and and wrote about him here.
But all is not well with Mr. Armstrong. For the last couple of years, I noticed that the main leader branch at the top of the tree had no buds or leaves. Last summer a tree specialist cut off the main spike, and the tree seemed to recover. However, the main trunk shows either insect damage or some kind of disease, and there's loads of grey and yellow lichen growing on the bark.
Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteYes, might take a long time though.
DeleteI hope Mr Armstrong is not in serious difficulties.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that lichen is a problem. I hope the tree can survive the fungus though.
Once the fungus has appeared, it means that it's already established in the heartwood of the tree.
DeleteWe have a silk lilac tree out front and another out back. The one in front was planted only a year earlier, but it looks like it has a five year head start. The back tree struggles and has had more than one dead branch removed.
ReplyDeleteLess light available at the back?
DeleteArmstrong may be in trouble but it looks like he will smile on the neighbourhood this year.
ReplyDeleteI hope so! He goes a lovely red in the fall.
DeleteCan you get an arborologist to look at it? It is a lovely tree.
ReplyDeleteI have informed the property manager about this tree so I hope they'll have a look at it.
DeleteAwww...it makes me so sad to see these regal trees getting sick.
ReplyDeleteHope someone can "cure" it for you.
Love the name Mr. Armstrong....
One day at a time.
Sue
I'll talk to him, give him some encouragement!
DeleteThanks for looking at my archived photos.
DeleteI do believe that the fish on the side of the building is made of metal. It appears to be in 3 pieces..since everything is in the Dismantal Yard ie..junk yard...who knows what the origin of it was.
Sue
Hopefully it can be helped and be healthy for a long life.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, it's a very elegant tree.
DeleteSorry about Mr. Armstrong’s ailments — looks fairly serious. Hope he can handle.
ReplyDeleteLots of splits occurring in the bark, so insects can get in. Not a good prognosis.
DeleteWhat a shame, it's always sad when a tree dies, especially one you have grown fond of. Fingers crossed Mr Armstrong has a miraculous recovery Shammi 🌳
ReplyDeleteWell, he's not quite dead yet, but certainly needs some attention.
DeletePoor tree, I hope it recovers and gets to meet spring many more times.
ReplyDeleteThe buds are looking good right now, if you ignore the fungus and the splits in the bark.
DeletePoor Mr Armstrong, I hope he's not too poorly.
ReplyDeleteHe's not looking well if you look at the trunk. There were other maple trees planted at the same time in 2015, and they all look good, mine is the only one suffering.
DeleteIt very sad when trees get old and die, or just get diseased. I hope the tree recovers.
ReplyDelete