Eucalyptus torquata (Coral Gum) problems

[Rupert92]

 

 

 

 

 

 

My coral gun was growing very well and looked super healthy until May this year. Shortly after I applied “Scott’s Osmocote Native Fertiliser” the leaves started losing their colour and turning very pale. It wasn’t the first time I had applied this fertiliser and it caused no issues when I did it 6 months prior. When I saw the leaves were losing their colour I removed most of the pellets of fertiliser within a week or two of applying. Since then it has not grown at all, the top of the tree has gotten floppy and the leaves have lost some of their colour. I’m not sure of this is due to the fertiliser or something else…

The base of the trunk has also got a soft spot and the rough bark as the pictures show, this was a small spot on the trunk at the start of the year but now it’s gotten bigger.

It’s in a fairly open location with a good amount of sun (probably 3 quarters of the daily sun). 

I live Dianella in Perth so the soil is basically sand and I regularly check it for pests and remove any that I find.

 Any ideas what the problem is and is it fixable or should I just rip it up and buy a new one?

[Jason]

Hi @Rupert92,

Let me tag the ever-helpful @Noelle to see if she might be able to provide a diagnosis and suggest next steps to save your tree.

Thanks,

Jason

[Noelle]

Hi @Rupert92 

I would doubt the fertiliser has had anything to do with the problems with your tree - it is coincidental you have noted the issues while feeding it.

It has rot at the base of the trunk, which would result in drooping leaves and potentially spread of the disease to other stems and branches. I would suspect a fungal disease maybe in conjunction with cold conditions and excess soil moisture.The rot may be phytophthora, canker, root rot (all fungal) or a bacterial rot.

Start by treating the damaged area on the base of the trunk at soil level with a fungicide (try Yates Anti Rot systemic fungicide). If the disease continues to spread and the tree's condition deteriorates, the I'd replace it as it probably will not recover.

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @Rupert92 

While @Noelle  is avaliable.

Consider  your coral  gum may have a  fungal  infection  or stress from cold . 

Including those black spots  on the leaves.

That  tree trunk is nasty I fear for your tree and  your not alone  there  appears to be a rash of fungal infections in WA as well as some other places that the gov has permission for more liberal use of some heavy duty systemic fungicides normally obtained via arborists..

To reduce possible infection trim severly damaged leaves.

Be mind full not too much water in case of fungal infection expanding.

Start  applying a fungicide  and or consider a Systemic fungicide might help.

Systemic is an absorbed or injected fungicide into the tree.

Your tree too small and the bark badly damaged so to allow injections but the tree can absorb systemic fungicides through the  leaves.

I am currently giving my sick Golden Elm tree Systemic injections of  pestacide and fungicide so I know where you are at  with your tree.

I am using Agro best phozguard 620 systemic fungicide as injectable.

And Sure fire Stellar fungicide ass and external spray as I am desparate to save a full grown tree.

WA may have restrictions on various products

Good luck  with your tree.

Systemic tree injections fungicide and pestacide