I have a large Horse Chestnut tree which is looking very sorry for itself?

Question

I live in south london and the tree has started shedding leaves very early, a neighbour suggested that it was diseased and that it was now a common thing with Horse chestnuts, any one have any answers?

Answer 1

Have you had a unusually dry summer or hot summer? Sometimes they lose their leaves prematurly if that is the case.

If you've had a normal summer the most likely problem is Leaf Blotch. This disease is most common in Europe and is caused by a fungus. I'm not sure what chemicals are available in Europe but you can go to a good lawn & garden center and they should be able to fix you up.

I wouldn't spray them this years because it won't be long and the leaves will fall of the tree anyway but sanitation is very important for this disease. Rake up all the leaves and dispose of them in a land fill. Don't let them lay around the tree--they're loaded with spores to start the disease next year. Then next year I would use a preventive treatment (the fungicide you got at the L&G center) about 2-3 weeks before the date that the disease started this year. Hopefully that will fix your tree right up.

Answer 2

it takes at least 5 yrs for a tree to show any sighns of stress ( storm damage hard winter drought new construction insect damage ect ) also rember that the roots of the tree spred as far as the branches .
your tree could be showing sighns of stress but its hard to tell with out seeing the tree i would say look up an arborist in the phone book have him /her have a look at the tree

hope i could help
Billy