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Iron Deficient Pin Oak Removal

6/26/2019

13 Comments

 
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A goodbye hug.
This large pin oak finally bit the dust due to prolonged iron deficiency. We see this a lot in Omaha, but what we don't see are homeowners taking action. Iron deficiency, or chlorosis, is easy to treat. Don't ignore these signs and symptoms for long, or you'll be facing an unfortunate tree removal.
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Signs of iron deficiency

  • Light green or yellow leaves in early-to-mid summer
  • Dark green veins on the leaves
  • Leaves turning brown on the edges
  • Leaves turning brown and falling off
  • Limbs dying back
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What causes iron deficiency?

Generally, Nebraska's soils are alkaline (pH above 7). While our soil contains plenty of iron and manganese, the alkalinity makes the nutrients insoluble and unavailable to trees. Merely adding iron to the soil may not improve the condition of the tree. The problem can be further compounded by low oxygen conditions which are common in poorly drained soils or soil that has been compacted due to heavy foot traffic or construction.
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What species are affected?

Very common:
  • Pin oak
  • Silver maple
  • Red maple and hybrids (Red Sunset, Autumn Blaze, etc)
  • River birch
    ​
Less common:
  • Cottonwood
  • Swamp white oak
  • Bald cypress
  • Sweet gum
  • Eastern white pine
    ​
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Is iron deficiency fatal?

Yes - iron deficiency kills trees. Trees need iron to manufacture chlorophyll. When a tree lacks chlorophyll, it can't produce adequate energy via photosynthesis and the tree will begin to decline. Worse, a tree in decline is also more susceptible to other diseases and damage from insects.
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Can I prevent it? How do I fix it?

There are many methods of treating iron chlorosis, with some being more effective than others:
  • Water during dry spells, but don't overwater. Believe it or not - overwatering can CAUSE iron deficiency!
  • Mulch to improve soil conditions, but keep it under 2" deep and don't pile it against the trunk. No mulch volcanoes!
  • Don't fertilize. Excess nitrogen or phosphate can cause a tree to become chlorotic. Keep lawn fertilizers away from trees. Again, mulching under a tree instead of growing grass is a good solution.
  • Soil additives: You can amend the soil under the tree in a variety of methods. However, the tree may not respond to these methods until the following season, and research shows this method is ineffective especially for larger trees. Remember: Nebraska soil is rich in iron; the high pH makes it unavailable to trees.
  • Avoid planting susceptible species in alkaline and/or poorly drained soil. 
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We can help!

Arbor Aesthetics uses a macro injection system to flush iron (and/or manganese, depending on the species) directly through your tree's vascular system via injection sites at the root flare. These treatments are performed in the fall and can provide up to three years of green, happy leaves for your tree! 
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13 Comments
site link
9/18/2019 05:26:40 am

Good tip on not fertilizing! We've come across this problem several times in our work and many people don't know it can cause more harm than good in these kinds of cases.

Reply
Jones link
10/10/2019 03:08:57 am

Thank you so much for sharing this blog, I've never thought of iron deficiency in trees and its causes. I must say that you have shared something really important and useful information.

Reply
Tom Herr link
10/13/2019 07:44:08 pm

Great info on iron deficiency. It is often the last thing people think about when their trees are suffering. <a href="https://stlouistreeco.com">St. Louis Tree Co.</a>

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Bryan Smith link
1/13/2020 02:37:02 am

A trees in front of the house and we have many memories surrounding it. However since few months the edges of the leaves turning brown in color and I was afraid if anything's wrong. While researching more about the same, I came across this and learnt that there's iron deficiency. Will treat the same as soon as possible. Keep sharing!!

Reply
Sabrina Addams link
2/5/2020 08:41:19 pm

I never knew that trees can have iron deficiencies due to low oxygen levels or badly drained soils. It's good to know that deep green leaf veins are a sign of this. When out in my yard this morning, I noticed my pin oak tree had leaves with veins like this, and the limbs were dying. I might look into having a tree removal service come by soon and see what they think.

Reply
Melik O link
2/18/2020 10:41:48 pm

Sad how a vicious cycle can occur so quickly when a lack of chlorophyll can deplete a trees nutrients making it more susceptible to disease. Wasn't aware of the iron deficiency in Nebraska, thanks for the informative post.

Reply
Go Tree Quotes link
2/23/2020 11:51:25 pm

This is a great article. Being a qualified arborist I am always on the lookout for new information, tools and techniques to further improve my skills. Cheers for the tips. I will keep an eye out in the future for iron deficiencies in the future.

Reply
Tree Love link
5/27/2020 06:41:17 pm

Very useful information on the treatment, or lack thereof, of trees when it comes to iron deficiency. Great job!

Reply
Fay link
6/25/2020 01:07:14 pm

I truly loved that you mentioned that iron deficiency might affect river birches and silver maples. This is something I definitely did not know before, and I have noticed my tree in my front yard has looked more grey and dried off. My husband commented that we should hire a company that can remove it so we do not have to pick up dead branches ever two weeks or so.

Reply
tree removal st louis link
7/28/2020 08:44:31 pm

I found your article very interesting. Thanks a lot for sharing this information.

Reply
MckinneyVia link
10/11/2021 05:07:21 am

Great article! Thank you for sharing this informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.

Reply
Jr D link
7/19/2022 07:11:49 pm

This is a very informative—edifying article to all. Thanks a lot! Continue to post!
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New South Wales Independent Girl link
1/28/2023 05:38:36 am

Great blog post

Reply



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    Amy Grewe, Certified Arborist & Co-Owner 

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Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service

Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service
6724 Irvington Rd, Omaha, NE 68122
402-408-5600
info@arboraesthetics.com
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