Sounds like 'Die-back' disease caused by Phytophthora, a fungus-like
organism found on the root system. If that's what it is then nothing can be
done, and other plants nearby might be affected. It mainly attacks Prunus
(same family as Rowan) and conifers. You often see whole conifer hedges
turning brown from it. There is no cure.

I never heard of Phytophthora affecting Rowan until now but I see from
http://www.phytophthoradb.org/pdf/O16GEOFFREY.pdf
that it has recently been detected on Sorbus species.

Best of luck and I hope it turns out to be something else.

R.

"endymion" wrote in message
...
I dont post often. I tend to lurk but I have a problem.

I have a Rowen tree ( one that has white berries not the usual red ones).
Its a centre piece in my garden ( inherited ) and I am guessing is about
15 years old. I have been in this house 10 years and it was I think
planted by my predecessor , circa 1994. I have pictures from 1996 which
show it as a smallish tree. It might be a fraction older.

That the preable. Anyway , its died suddenly. It started out the season
budding and leafing and now the leaves have died back and shriveled. I
have tried breaking a stem and it seems to be dying back. There is one
branch - and offshoot which still seems to be alive but that might also
have some die back on it.

I have done nothing to the tree. I have done nothing to the garden and
nothing else seems to have a problem. Any suggestions as to what might be
wrong? Is it going to die? Should I take the whole thing out? Or is it
just this years growth and should I cut it back . Or something else?

Thanks for any advice.