Question
Hello, 2 years ago I had one of my trees lose all of its leaves way ahead of the rest.  the following year it leafed way behind the rest.  My other observations are that in the spring it was covered with butterflies (seems strange but just that tree.  I also noticed that a white spongy growth around the bade and on the ground for a couple of feet around the tree.  This year the tree next to it has thinned leaves, it has small buds and no leaves yet, the others are fully leafed.  What is it and what should I do?

Answer
Hi Howard,

There are a couple of possibilities that I can think of.  Hopefully this information will get you pointed in the right direction.

You mentioned butterflies.  Were the butterflies in the flowers/leaves or on the trunk?  If they were in the canopy, it may be coincidence.  If you observed them on the trunk, it may suggest that the tree has a problem with slime flux or wetwood. Unfortunately, there is nothing that you can do to help this problem except promote tree vigor by watering and fertilizing as needed.  

I'm not sure what is meant by "a white spongy growth around the bade...".  I am unfamiliar with the term bade.  If you mean base or trunk, it may be that what you are observing is evidence of insects.  Borers such as shot hole borers and ambrosia beetles will bore into the trunk and you will often see white shavings around the base of the tree.  If the tree is heavily damaged, it is unlikely you will be able to save it.  If the infestation is early, you may want to consult a tree care company about using chemicals to control the insects.  A certified arborist can assess overall tree health and help you decide if the tree can be saved.  You may lose one tree, but you might be able to save the others.