I have been getting numerous calls about trees that have dead
limbs near the top, or trees producing fewer blooms or leaves
than in years past. Large trees have plenty of reserves stored
so they can still flower and leaf out for a number of years
before drought, root damage or something else causes the tree to
suffer. The drought of the past two years has caused a number of
our trees to use up their stored energy, and they are in a state
of decline. When the tree starts declining, the area of the tree
the greatest distance from the roots will be hit hardest, which
is why the limbs in the top of the tree are dying. Also,
stressed trees are more prone to insect and disease problems
than healthy trees. I am seeing oak, maple and elm trees with
dying limbs. This is not a problem with the roots. This is a
widespread insect problem called scale. Infested branches will
have brownish, red bumps on the limbs. These are the scale
insects. Once they start feeding, they are immovable. They will
spend the rest of their li