Entire top of lemon dead, new sprouts below (pics)

12 years ago

First off, thanks to everyone taking their time to help others. Love gardenweb. Ive searched and havn't found exactly what I have at my home in So Cal. The entire top of my lemon died bearing fruit and all, but the bottom is sprouting new growth. The bark looks like its being stripped. There are 2 other citrus, a grapefruit and orange next to this tree as seen in the pictures, and they are just fine. Its been fine for a few seasons, then last year began to die, so I trimmed the bad parts off thinking it would help. No such luck. I've read a lot here about spider mites, is that what happened? Can I save it? I have been using 2 times a year citrus food steaks.

Thanks again,

Dean

{{gwi:613039}}

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Comments (8)

AMaji
12 years ago
I think it is time to take the whole plant out along with the roots and start over. In my opinion, it is the root stock that is now sending out suckers. They will not fruit and you are better off using that real estate for another plant.

Sorry to see that one dead, and it always makes me feel bad. Good luck with your hopefully new and existing plants.
meyermike_1micha
12 years ago
I am so sorry for you.

Was that grafted tree? If so, it could be a classic death due to the original root stock taking over while the grafted part above the graft line dies off.

Mike
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I don't think it will be an issue provided the area below the new sprout is undamaged. That would mean healthy and growing bark all the way around. You won't know that until the tree increases in diameter over the next couple yrs. Damaged areas will show up as sunken while live bark increases in diameter. I'd cut the old trunk off at some point at an angle, higher side towards top shoot and not much stub above new growth. You want that cut to grow over asap. That requires live bark all around. I'd stake/support the tree a few yrs. Until it heals over well it may not be as strong as undamaged. So it's your call on keeping tree. PS: You can try the scratch test on that lower trunk. It might give you an idea what's going on. Bright green and it's alive, brown or streaked brown/green and it may be dead in that area. This post was edited by fruitnut on Mon, Jun 23, 14 at 12:20
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It's not "semantics", it is simply a wrong use of terminology, John. There is no chemical reaction going on, or excretion of some chemical or poison, causing graft failure. So for me, using the word "poison" isn't really descriptive of what is happening. Sorry, I have a science background, and I think I provided a pretty clear explanation, John. Steve, the Meyer lemon (or other incompatible cultivars) does not excrete something that kills the rootstock. It is just an inability to make that cellular connection well enough to support the transport of nutrients up through the rootstock and to the scion cultivar. More an "apples and oranges" analogy, since John is fond of analogies. Or, square hole in a round peg. There is basic incompatibilities between several cultivars and trifoliate rootstocks, Meyer being just one. If I have a chance to snap a photo of my container Chironja orangelo, I'll post it to show a scion/rootstock graft issue. I didn't want folks new to citrus to think that a citrus scion had the ability to poison the rootstock, definitely not what's happening at the graft. Patty S.
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johnmerr
12 years ago
Your bottom foto shows 2 distinct leaf types; the broader, darker green leaves look like lemon; the narrower leaves look like Macrophylla, a common rootstock for lemons in California. If you can see a graft union near the base, check to see if the broader leaves are coming from above the graft... if so, cut off the macrophylla sprouts, cut off the trunk just above the new "lemon?" sprouts; and give it a shot of Vitamin B-1 and pray.
What likely happened to your tree was some type of twig bore... maybe Peach twig bore, which got into the limbs and followed down; if that is true, when you cut the trunk, you will see evidence in the center. Spray your other citrus with Sevin as well as your remaining sprouts here. In the future, if you experience this type dieback, the only solution is to cut below where the bore has gone.
johnmerr
12 years ago
Sorry, I meant to say, Black Twig Borer, as PTB (Peach Twig Borer) normally only attacks stone fruits; however the cause and result are similar. Google Black Twig Borer to learn more and about prevention/treatment.
meandorris
Original Author
12 years ago
The tree was already planted before we bought the house, but you're right, it looks grafted, as the root stock is coming from the bottom, and the darker green lemon leave is sprouting higher. I will cut it as Johnmerr has suggested.

The only thing bothering me more is there is something odd going on with the new lemon leaves. Here are two more pics one of the strange pattern on the leave and one of a spider web on the other.

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And the one with the web and tiny spider:

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Again many thanks for helping me.

Dean
meyermike_1micha
12 years ago
I won't be certain here, but the top pictures looks like Citrus Leaf Miner and many here have had much success keeping them under control.

John: I am not sure if you saw Patty and I comment on your Meyers? I would love to have a peak of your yard and agin thanks for your help. I also told you my father is in PR planting on my property.

Mike
jean001a
12 years ago
Yes, the citrus leaf miner.
meandorris
Original Author
12 years ago
Me again. I cut the tree just above the new growth and didn't see anything in the middle of the trunk. I cut the higher branches and there too it seems normal, didn't notice any bore holes from an insect. I did see some mid branches had big cracks and splits, as well as sap leaking out (pic below). I just wonder before I go spray Sevin if an insect is the true cause of damage.

{{gwi:613043}}

Thank you,

Dean

Entire top of lemon dead, new sprouts below (pics)

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Entire top of lemon dead, new sprouts below (pics)

Comments (8)

AMaji

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