The coast madrone is prone to a number of disease problems, particularly in urban settings. It
is intolerant of pollution and doesn't like irrigation and both of these factors, combined with
its predisposition to a form of anthracnose typically makes it very short-lived in a cultivated
environment. Unfortunately, it is also declining in its native environment as well and we are
running the risk of losing this majestic and lovely tree altogether.

This link should provide some good information, but it will probably be necessary to have a
consulting arborist examine the tree to assess its long term viability.
http://students.washington.edu/melli...s/disease.html

pam - gardengal



"David D." wrote:

Contact your local county ag inspectors. It could be something they
wanna know about.

You never mentioned what county you are in, or what fertilizer regime
you use. All this is relevant./

Raul Essig wrote in message ...


We have a young madrone (arbutus menziesii) in our backyard
here in central california, zone 15 by the sunset western guide.


With the recent rains is has gotten a number of symptoms
and I would appreciate any advice as to how best to treat it.

The newest leaves have curled, turned red and appear
swollen, though the tissue is not soft. As the curled leaves
age they dry out and turn brown.
Peach leaf curl?
I've removed the diseased leaves.

The tree was planted about three years ago, and had
grown with three trunks instead of one to a height
of about 8 1/2 feet. Since it had already developed
into that shape when it was planted, I did not try
to thin it down to one trunk.
In any case I like the aesthetics of it this way.

One of the trunks, in addition to the diseased leaves
also has a canker about 5 feet off the ground.

Would the tree be better off with my leaving that
trunk alone, or would the canker eventually take
out the branch anyway, implying I should prune
it while trunk is less than two cm thick?

Thanks in advance.


-R