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African sumac dying?

16 years ago

A couple of weeks ago I noticed holes appearing around the roots of our african sumac, and thought it was probably something digging for grubs, so we scattered some garlic powder in hopes of deterring them. Now the leaves are turning yellow and falling off, and none of the other african sumacs on our street have any yellow leaves, so I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what could be causing this or what I could do to stop it? Thanks.

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Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
maybe the garlic??? never heard of that cure for anything.. i hope it wasnt garlic salt ....

how big a hole... what other evidence that the hole is related to the damage ...

what other possible information might be helpful to answer your question...

can you post a picture

ken
colettek74
Original Author
16 years ago
I'll attach the link to some pictures of the tree and holes. The holes seemed to be mostly around the little flower shrub, but there were a couple closer to the trunk, and I'm sure the roots probably reach to where the flowers are. The holes terminate and are not tunnels. Somebody had suggested garlic to me thinking that if it was a skunk or something digging for grubs, the garlic would be a deterrent. And yes, my husband did use garlic salt; we weren't really thinking about the tree, since most of the holes weren't really all that close to the tree-we were just thinking of stopping the digging. Do you think the salt is what is causing this? Any suggestions to fix it? Thanks.

Here is a link that might be useful: tree pictures
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Dibbit
16 years ago
Since your member page doesn't say where you are, could you have voles? They will dig holes and eat the roots of trees, shrubs and perennials - to the point that you can lift a "stick" out of the ground. If you don't live where there are voles as a problem, do you live where gophers are a problem, as they will do the same thing? The roots of your sumac may be being eaten, which would, logically, cause yellowing of the leaves. Trapping whatever it is that's digging the holes may be the definitive way to say what it is, or if the critter is eating the roots to cause the leaf-yellowing.
colettek74
Original Author
16 years ago
I live in southern AZ, in the desert. I think voles are woodland animals, but maybe some rodent relative?
Karen Brand
2 years ago
I have the same problem now bees live in the holes. The truck is a giant. I dont know what to do. Please help i put bug spay years ago. Write me back please
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
2 years ago
Karen- start a new post and include pictures.

tj

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