[Arid_gardener] texas ebony help!

[Dick]

Thanks for the analysis, Cathy. As usual, I learn more than I give and that is a good thing.

Dick
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Cathy.Rymer at chandleraz.gov 
  To: mgotway at cox.net 
  Cc: arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu 
  Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 8:59 AM
  Subject: [Arid_gardener] texas ebony help!



  Hi Mary, 

  Thanks for your question.  Texas Ebony trees are native to south Texas and Mexico and are known for their dark green leaves and twisted gray branches.  White, puffball flowers are followed by large, woody, dark brown pods.   

  Your tree could have been neglected prior to your purchase of the home.  Mature trees require very little water as long as moisture soaks down to at least three feet in the ground when it is applied.  Watering the entire root zone deeply once every three weeks in the summer tapering to once every 4-6 weeks in winter should be adequate.  You can apply water as Dick recommended or just lay the hose and let the water trickle overnight at the drip line at several places.   

  Your tree could have been over pruned.  This tree does not seem to tolerate pruning well here in our location in the low desert.  Pruning any tree is stressful and most trees can tolerate minor pruning without any problem.  Removing too much foliage (more than 25 percent in any year) can send trees into a stress mode.  In the process they give off chemical signals that can attract pests.  In the case of Texas Ebony, pruning seems to attract one of the flathead borers.  This metallic bronze-colored beetle lays its eggs on the branches of the tree.  The eggs hatch and larvae burrow into the tree just under the bark where they spend the next year or so tunneling and eating the branch tissues.   

  If you noticed elliptical holes approximately 1/4 inch in diameter on the dying/dead branches, you are dealing with the flatheaded borer.  The holes are where the mature beetle has emerged from the branch.  You may also notice sawdust-like wood in the dead branches as well which is left behind as the beetle larvae munches the branch.  Occasionally, you may see one of the cream-colored larvae just under the bark of an affected branch.  They have an enlarged head which is flattened with a legless, segmented body. 

  Because the larvae are hidden within the wood of the tree, chemical treatments are ineffective.  The best course of action is to make sure your tree is as healthy as possible and limit pruning.  Here is a link to the Master Gardener Manual which has illustrations and descriptions of this insect pest.  http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/entomology/sap.html#trunk 

  Please let me know if you have any questions.  I'm happy to help. 

  Cathy Rymer
  Certified Arborist 
  Master Gardener U of A Cooperative Extension


  >>>>>>>>>> 
  Hi All,

  I am new to this forum. I live in Phoenix, AZ.

  I am concerned about a Texas Ebony in our front yard. The tree has western exposure. This tree is about 12 years old (we just bought the house 2 years ago). In the last 3 months or so we started noticing that the branches on the tree are slowly dying. About 2 months ago, we removed the dead branches. However, another large branch has now suddenly died. There is no irrigation to this tree...but we gave it water and that did not seem to help. There are several areas of new growth at the base of the tree. Any idea what is killing this tree?  
  Thanks in advance!! Mary



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