What Is Wrong With My Goldenrain Tree?

Are the older leaves turning yellow and wilting, an overall decline in plant vigor is apparent?

Are there wet, sappy areas on the bark of the main trunk, which may crack?

Are there any perfectly round, small entry-holes in trunks and primary branches?

Are the leaves covered with small bumps?

Are there any clusters of dark brown or black insects relieved by red wing veins and markings on the abdomen?

These symptoms indicate fungal disease Verticillium wilt. Verticillium infects a wide range of plant species. Destroy all infected plants, as there is no cure. Prevent problems by presoaking seed in a 10 percent bleach solution.

Larvae of flathead borers tunnel beneath the bark, causing wet, sappy on the bark of the main trunk. Boring may kill limbs or entire trees. Prevention is the most effective management approach for flathead borers, which typically attack trees that have been previously injured or damaged. Providing proper care and protecting landscape plants from injury will make them less attractive to the borers. Avoid pruning spring-summer while adults are active. Properly dispose of infested wood material, as beetles may emerge from logs and attack nearby plants.

Polyphagous shot hole borer bores perfectly round, small entry-holes into trunks and primary branches. It then creates galleries in the wood where it lays its eggs and grows the Fusarium fungus. On Goldenrain tree, wet stains and golden colored, translucent gumming appears around the entry-hole. Most heavily infested or isolated host trees need to be removed entirely or pruned (if the infestation is confined to a few branches). Chemical treatment requires a bark spray for the beetles combined with soil injection of a fungicide.

Leaves covered by small bumps are caused by scales. These tiny, shelled insects often feed on the undersides of the leaves, causing an unhealthy appearance with yellowish blotches on the upper leaf surfaces. Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Prune out badly infested growth, or use a soft brush and soapy water to gently scrub the scales off the stems. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.

Both nymphs and adults of boxelder bugs remove plant fluid from newly developing leaves that may result in distortion of the foliage. Severely infested foliage may appear chlorotic (yellow). In addition to foliar feeding, boxelder bugs may also damage flowers, tender twigs, and seeds. n application of a registered insecticide formulation for non-edible ornamental trees or shrubs directed to the foliage can be made in early summer when nymphs are exposed and feeding on seeds and other soft host plant tissue.

One of the few problems with this tree is its prolific production of seeds which can sprout up under and around the tree. They are easily pulled up in the spring.