Author Topic: Beech w/white leaves ? !! (Read 2320 times)

sprucebunny · « **on:** May 27, 2008, 05:16:21 pm »

I found a tree with white leaves !!! It's on the side of a road I travel a lot in the summer. I don't think it was white last year

The leaders look a little stunted so maybe it will die.
Does anyone know what causes this

Jeff · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2008, 07:02:44 pm »

Now that looks unique. I wonder if its some sort of genetic defect.

Dodgy Loner · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2008, 09:37:40 pm »

I've seen the exact same thing on sourwood leaves. Except it wasn't a single tree, it was a whole colony of trees near the coast of North Carolina. I suspect it had a genetic cause, rather than environmental, because not all of the sourwoods in the same area had the condition, but I can't be certain. Interesting!

WDH · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2008, 11:16:34 pm »

Wow, I have never seen that before. Definitely not normal. I don't have a clue what is going on

.

Sprucegum · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2008, 11:39:42 pm »

You could write it up as a new species and call it a Beech Bunny

Dave Shepard · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2008, 08:42:33 pm »

Severe chlorosis? (Unless I'm thinking of something completely different, going to have to start studying trees again.)

Dave

Timburr · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2008, 05:32:30 pm »

Dave, chlorosis is a lack of leaf clorophyll caused by a number of factors. Damaged / compacted roots, poor drainage or a mineral deficiency (manganese, magnesium and if I remember correctly, iron) all play a role. Other chlorosis possibles are genetic and viral disorders.

Dave Shepard · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2008, 10:40:09 pm »

So, what do you all think? It does look as though some of the leaves are green towards the center, and loose color towards the outside.

Dave

WDH · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2008, 11:01:25 pm »

Dave,

I think that you are absolutely right about the chlorosis. I also subscribe to the observation by Mr. Timburr that the causative factor is environmentally based. "Very interesting set of dynamics, my dear Watson"

.

Dave Shepard · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2008, 11:04:01 pm »

I've never seen it that bad before.

Sprucebunny, can you treat this tree for chlorosis for us to see if it gets better?

Dave

Timburr · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2008, 04:43:19 pm »

My understanding is that magnesium specifically, is used by the plant, for the manufacture of chlorophyl and anything that disrupts the flow to the leaves, in the form that the the plant can utilise, induces chlorosis.

During my travels, I've seen plants (not trees) with pale coloured leaves on bud burst and have retained this anaemic look for a number of weeks. Eventually they find their equilibrium and resume to a vibrant, healthy green. Certainly an odd phenomenon.

Sprucebunny, probably worth checking it's status in a few weeks.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #11 on:** June 05, 2008, 05:03:39 am »

Looks cool. If it's genetic it could be "ornamental" beech and sprucebunny will make a mint.

I have a beech yard tree, I like the smooth gray bark. I hate the stuff however, if I'm bush whacking. Man, it's like barbed wire in the thick of the woods.

sprucebunny · « **Reply #12 on:** June 09, 2008, 05:45:53 am »

I've checked up on this tree a few times. Here's a picture from a cloudy day which really shows it off.

I haven't seen much change in the leaf coloration. There is nothing very strange around the base of the tree. The leaders continue to look stunted but I don't see any withered leaves.

sprucebunny · « **Reply #13 on:** June 11, 2008, 07:38:59 pm »

It's not looking good for this tree.

We have had temperatures over 90 F for a few days and the leaves are shriveling right up. There was a downpour last night so maybe it will perk up

Here is a picture from Monday June 9

WDH · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2008, 09:16:02 pm »

It is looking bad for the little fellow. I don't believe the little fellow will make it. Let us know if it perks up any.

sprucebunny · « **Reply #15 on:** July 23, 2008, 05:02:25 pm »

This tree is still hanging on. Most of the leaves that were extremely white have fallen off. The leaves that are still on it are about 30% or more green but none are all green. The leaders still look bad. We are having a very wet summer and the tree is in a shady place to begin with.

WDH · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2008, 10:33:29 pm »

Hang in there, little feller!

OneWithWood · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2008, 01:31:56 pm »

It would seem the bird with the runs is getting better

sprucebunny · « **Reply #18 on:** June 10, 2009, 07:13:14 am »

Spring 2009

The tree has leafed out but is less white this year. Few leaves are all white.

WDH · « **Reply #19 on:** June 10, 2009, 08:43:25 am »

It might be a chimeral mutation. Chimeral plants can have very light tissue in parts of the leaf or veins giving it a variegated aspect.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #20 on:** June 10, 2009, 03:06:14 pm »

I had a white spruce that was albino. It came from the experimental station that had taken cuttings from the tree and rooted them. It didn't amount to much, it grew a lot like a branch and it would flush white or pale yellow, then green up a little bit. It gradually got over grown by other yard trees and I did it in.

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Author Topic: Beech w/white leaves ? !! (Read 2320 times)