AusBonsai

I have two trees in completely different positions in the garden, a maple and a prunis. Both trees have weak areas and normal growth.



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Hi Gerard,
Bit hard to tell from the photos, but are the weak growth sections grafted on? It almost looks like they are.

Could they have copped some weed killer accidentally?

One affected branch is grafted but has had strong growth for years. Weed killer is extremely unlikely, this is the new spring growth not a dieback situation

Curl gubs munching roots on the affected side of the trees?

Yeah, was wondering as it looked like those tiny leaves you get with glycophosphate. If it was weed killer the whole tree should be affected I would have thought. Maybe Jarad is correct?

I am inclined to believe there is something going on with the roots, I had curl grubs once many years ago in a purchased tree but never in mt own mix which is about 50% diatomite.
was hoping for a confident response before I explore but I think now I must check.

I don't like the look of that at all Gerard. I have never seen it here and I never want to! I don't know what it is but have you looked into Phytoplasma?
Do you think you may have used the same pruners on both trees one after the other?
Have a close look for mites while you're at it.
If you cant find out what it is I recommend taking it to a plant pathology lab. I think Burnley had one at one time or Melbourne Uni.

I repotted one of the trees, roots were clear of pests and strong new tips. I need to do more reading and watching