Question
QUESTION: what can I do early in the season
Question:      I have had these trees for at least 10-12 years, for the last two years though as soon as the leaves reach their normal size, they have little brown spots shrivel up and fall off, so fast that
less than one month into the Spring Summer they have no more leaves..

I have tried fertilizer, I have tried the anti insect liquid to feed to the bottom of the trees to their root system, but so far nothing seems to work....

I do not know if it is the environment suddenly, or some insects
that cause this kind of a disease. In the fall I cut down the trees to a smaller size but now I am wondering what I can do.

Is there a commercial product that I can spray the trees with, or would a mixture of soap and vinegar have some results.... I love these trees, they bloom beautifully, get all their leaves and look perfect and boom one or two weeks later the first leaves come down. I am sweeping leaves for many weeks....

Help please
Edith

ANSWER: Edith:
These trees really need to be examined in person to access the environment.  If the past Springs have been unusually wet from excessive rainfall, then large numbers of spots on the leaves can form and cause premature defoliation.  This is usually not life threatening if the trees are being watered and fertilized properly.  Leaf drop for multiple years can weaken the tree.  If you feel the spots are accounting for the dropping, the cause of the spots needs to be determined before taking corrective action (for example spraying the tree). Rule out first, things like (1) any physical damage to bark on the trunk, (2) roots damaged from any construction?  If none, then raking leaves and disposing of them can help reduce the same cause of the spots for the following season. Spraying a tall tree can be an expensive proposition.  It must be done as the leaves are emerging and the spray must cover entire tree. Multiple sprays may be needed to keep up the protection. Usually raking the leaves is the most cost effective method to deal with leaf spot diseases on a big tree.

Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks I will certainly take care of the raking and discarding of the leaves this Spring, no damage to roots there was no construction and
trees are in three different locations around the home.... no physical damage to the bark on the trunks either....

If I were to consider a fertilizer that strengthens these trees, as they have suffered the leaf loss over the last two years, could  you make a suggestion, and if I would consider a few sprayings is there any home remedy I could use that could help but not harm the trees, I have heard
about vinegar, I have heard about dish soap.... Any better suggestions?

Thanks for all you help I truly appreciate your recommendations very much.
Edith

ANSWER: Edith:
I am not familiar with the effectiveness of vinegar or dish soap. Not sure of any scientific tests having been conducted to prove effectiveness.  If the solutions are mixed improperly, injury can result to leaves and other portions, doing more damage than help. As to a good fertilizer, consider having your soil tested first- this will find out what you need and how much.  It will establish a baseline from which to start from.  Again , you can contact the Agricultural Extension service in your county for information.  In many cases, this is a free analysis through this agency.

If you need help locating your particular Extension office, you can send me the name of your state and county and I can look this information up and send to you.

Regards
Steve

Edith:
Rec'd your state name. What county do you live in?

Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am in cook county, but Lake county is just around the corner, which ever address of the two is closer to me would work...
But yes 60076 is in Cook county
Thank you Edith

Answer
Edith:
See this website for Extension Urban Horticulture. There are some telephone numbers at the bottom right corner of the page.  Master Gardener Programs are a good resource to start.  Telephone number to try:  Headquarters 708-481-0111  or 773-233-0476. One of these should point you in the right direction.

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cook/urbanhort.html

Steve