Chlorosis

Iron or manganese chlorosis (interveinal chlorosis) describes a condition in which a tree’s foliage loses its healthy green color and fades to a pale green or yellow hue.

This condition, if allowed to progress, will cause slow growth, leaf loss, and eventually tree death. Chlorosis is often caused by deficiencies of the micro-elements iron and manganese, and is particularly prevalent in oak. In alkaline soils, iron and manganese become insoluble and unavailable to the tree. Trees growing in poorly drained soils are also susceptible to iron chlorosis.

Poor Microbial Activity

Soil microbiotics are vital to the health of plants and soils. They help release nutrients that plants use to grow. They are responsible for the breakdown of organic matter in the soil which contributes to plant nutrition, soil structure, and water movement and retention in the soil. Soils that lack sufficient microbial levels provide poor growing conditions for plants, and plants may visibly struggle. Acidic soils, or other non-ideal soil conditions, may contribute to poor microbial health. Soil conditioners and other supplements are often needed to spur increased microbial activity.

Nutrient Deficiency.

Lack of nutrients in soil can limit growth of plants and lead to declining tree health. Nutrients are generally divided into macronutrients, which plants need large amounts of, and micronutrients, which plants need in small amounts but are still essential.

Macronutrients are compounds found in the soil (or sometimes absorbed from the atmosphere) that help with plant growth and include: calcium, carbon, hydrogen, magnesium, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur.

Micronutrients are all essential trace minerals and metals found in the soil and include: boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and zinc.

Micronutrient deficiencies manifest in different ways and have different symptoms and treatments. A plant tissue or foliar analysis may be needed to correctly determine the specific deficiency.

In general, micronutrient deficiencies can be resolved with soil drench or tree injections. Soil drenches and foliar sprays are effective for small trees and shrubs, while injections are more useful for larger trees.

Compacted Soil.

Clay and fine textured soils are susceptible to compaction, particularly when wet. Compaction may result from heavy traffic or construction damage including cuts, fills, and moving heavy equipment. Soil compaction results in less room for air and water availability and can create difficult growing conditions for fine root hairs. Soil compaction can lead to declining health in or death of shrubs and trees, even well-established ones.

Sandy Soil

Sandy soils are coarse textured soils, composed of relatively large particles that are prone to drying. Such soils tend to have very good aeration and percolation characteristics, that is they easily absorb water, favor gas exchange and drain well. Nutrient retention and availability, however, in coarse soils is low, therefore nutrients deficiencies are common in such soils. Unless plants are adapted to dry (xeric) growing conditions, watering and nutrient additions ought to be closely monitored.