Expert: kathy crowley - 10/21/2009

Question
Hi Kathy, I have an African Sumac tree that is around three years old. This past week I noticed one of the main trunk branches (there is four coming out of the ground)looks like it is dying. The leaves are all brown and falling off. The bark and base look fine. Also the other 3 trunks look fine, just losing some leaves.
What could this be?

Answer
Hi Laura, Sounds like it was hurt in some way as you should have one main trunk and all other should be cut away as they are all trying to be the tree.  Is there a chance it is getting too much water and this is causing root rot?  It could be in the wrong place and needs to be on higher grounds.  There are some pictures of root rot of this tree on line just type in African sumac tree diseases and this should help in identifying the problem then from there a course of action.  kathy