Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - April 30, 2012
From: Engadine, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Pests, Trees
Title: Spots on bark of Mountain Ash from Engadine MI
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have a mountain ash that is about 5 years old & have just noticed white, patchy, scaly looking spots on the bark. Is this something to be concerned about???ANSWER:
When we searched on our Native Plant Database, we found 7 species of ash with "mountain ash" as a common name. Two of them - Sorbus americana (American mountain ash), and Sorbus decora (Northern mountain ash) - are native to Michigan, so we chose American Mountain Ash to check out; usually, plants that closely related will share benefits and problems.
When we followed the plant link to our webpage on this tree, we found this statement:
"Conditions Comments: Mountain ash is usually short-lived due to fire blight, mildew, and borers as well as a number of other diseases and insects. In cultivation this species does best in the northern part of its range and at high altitudes. Young stems and thin bark need protection from winter browsers."
Since this is a plant that wouldn't grow in Texas, we don't have any first-hand knowledge of what the problem might be, so we are going to look for articles, perhaps with pictures, online to help.
University of Wisconsin Extension: Mountain Ash disorder: Fire blight.
Previous Mr. Smarty Plants question on fungus in Mountain Ash
From Yardener Solving Problems with Mountain Ash
From Dave's Garden Mountain Ash - A Multifaceted Tree
From Virginia Tech Mountain Ash: Finally, one with a picture like you describe, and this comment: "Bark: When young, smooth with numerous lenticels, grayish brown, developing cracks, splits and scale patches with age."
So, maybe you don't have anything to worry about after all.
From the Image Gallery
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Getting rid of algae on dirt and patio
January 12, 2011 - Algae and on patio and dirt, and how to get rid of same?
view the full question and answer
Escarpment Black Cherry losing leaves in Austin, TX.
July 13, 2012 - Dear Mr. Plants:
We live in Austin off of Mount Bonnell Road. We have beautiful 20 foot tall + black escarpment cherry tree very near the house with leaves turning yellow like it's about to drop th...
view the full question and answer
Problems with red oak trees in North Central Texas
July 13, 2013 - What is the disease effecting Red Oak trees in North Central Texas; causing them to lose leafs in Spring/Summer and turning the remaining leaves light yellow/lime green in color.
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Problems with volunteer tree in Joshua TX
February 15, 2012 - I have a 'volunteer' tree which has been in our back yard for about 15 years. It has had the usual traumas, ie. lots of snow, ice, etc. but after last years drought, its bark is coming off and sev...
view the full question and answer
Decline of sheared dwarf hollies from Rockwall TX
May 31, 2014 - I have 20 year old established dwarf yaupon hollies in front of the house that I trim every year and shape the same. This year the new growth that was 2 1/2 " long I noticed the new leaves were curli...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |