Question
One of our 19 year old youpon trees had three 4 in. diameter trunks and had a lot of berries.  One day we noticed  one of the three trunks had turned brown and a mild rain storm  caused the entire trunk to fall to the ground breaking off under ground.  No insects could be seen.  The break was uneven, not like it had been cut.  I was about to accuse the yard men of cutting the trunk of the tree.  The other two trunks are standing and look ok but are not a dark green like the other two that are planted along the side of the yard.  Any ideas of what caused this beautiful plant to do this ??  We have noticed a fungus on many of the branches that look like Spanish moss but is not that long and hairy and in a cluster.  A nursery person said that it would not kill a tree and did not cause this damage at the root level.  We are removing the moss any way because it looks like it is not helping the trees.

Answer
Dear Bonnie,  This is one of those extremely frustrating problems for a gardener, because there are no good answers for the reason your yaupon isn't doing well.  Yaupons are known for great adaptability in a wide range of soils, climates, and light, and are very resistant to any pests and diseases.  Unfortunately, for some reason one plant has started declining.  There could be a small cut on the trunk near the soil level but there may not be.  With most multitrunk trees, one or more of the trunks will simply stop growing or blooming correctly and then it is best to just remove it at the base.  I would remove the growth from the tree if for no other reason than that the other trees don't have it and they are doing better.  The growth wouldn't cause the damage, but it might limit light and nutrients that the yaupon needs.  Hopefully after removing the moss and weak trunks the yaupon will improve, but often even professionals are stumped when a group planting will do fine except for one plant, or a perfect hedge with 20 shrubs will suddenly lose numbers 11 and 17.  I'm sorry there is no real name and cause for why this one plant is not doing well, but I hope I have shed some light on this and that your yaupon will start looking healthier after it is trimmed.  Good luck.  Melissa