QuestionWe have had a tulip tree for about 20 years, which has never bloomed. Every year in late June or early July the leaves start to yellow and develop black spots, many then will fall off. This year a tree specialist fertilized it which helped marginally. We had used regular tree root feeding in past years with no effect. Regular watering also has no effect. We have never seen any sort of a parasite on it, although we did try to spray it one year, with no effect. Could we have a deficiency in the soil? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
AnswerI would do two things. Take a soil sample and a tissue sample of the leaves and send to an Extension Service soil testing lab for analysis. This will answer that question for you. There may be a fungal disease causing the black spots on leaves, but I would do the soil and tissue first to eliminate that possibility. Let me know if you need further assistance after doing the tests. Thanks.
