I bought a few acres that had been in foreclosure for a couple years in a rural area. The land had probably been vacant for at least five or six years. I planted a variety of fruit trees and brambles in June of 2014. The plantings were that late due to being away from home caring for my dying father. The trees did well, even though they didn’t get a lot of attention–just wire enclosures and latex paint on the trunks. This year I planted about 70 more bushes and trees in April and May. On May 23rd, after I had finished planting the stock, I was out there working when a tractor pulling a large tank with 15-foot or so spray boom on either side came through the adjacent corn field. After it passed, I felt the mist on my face and could smell the product for about five or ten minutes. Now the foliage is turning yellow to almost white, especially on the upper parts of the trees. The only leaves that seem to be cupping are the Chinese apricot that was near the fenceline. The kiwis, plums, and a few of the apple trees seem the most affected, but the raspberries, and gooseberries are also yellowing . I read that 2,4D poisoning involves green veins in yellow leaves. That does not seem to be the case here. The upper leaves are paler than the bottom ones. The petioles on the kiwis and apricot are slightly distorted, but not seriously so. There are no dead weeds in the area, not even along the edge of the corn rows. The area is essentially former pasture with grass and only about one kind of broadleaf weed in it. Do you think it is herbicide damage or something else? I have not fertilized the fruit trees since planting, but did use liquid plant food when planting many of this spring’s items.Last year I used no fertilizer at all and had no yellowing. We have had normal June rainfall here and temperatures mostly in the seventies or low eighties, mostly sunny weather. I do not know who owns the corn field and do not want to make any false accusations. What do you suggest I do? Wait to see if everything survives, or find out what the spray was? I don’t want a repeat next year if the plants do all survive. The 6’ deer fence with four 7’ posts around each tree make it very obvious that the trees are there, even though the area is not mowed. I wrote down the name on the spray tank at the time. It was Hagie. Ideas? Northwoodswis
Post some pics, hard to tell w/o them
Northwood,
If you felt and smelled the drift on your face, it’s very likely the symptoms you’re seeing on your trees are the result of herbicide damage.
I would contact the farmer now, explain the situation and ask what was sprayed on the corn. You mentioned you could smell the herbicide. It may well be 2,4-D but there are several other herbicide resistant corn strains including glyphosate, glufosinate and imidazoline resistant strains. Glufosinate is a non-selective burn down and could perhaps explain the symptoms you describe.
By discussing it with the farmer, not only can you learn what was sprayed, he may learn he needs to be more careful.
Yes, I guess I will have to go down to the courthouse and find out who owns the land. I hate doing this sort of thing and would rather just be pulling weeds or digging in the dirt!
Northwoods,
In my county, one can find out who owns any piece of property simply by accessing the County Assessor website. That’s the way it is both where my house is (Kansas) or where the farm is (Missouri).
Thanks. I’ll try that. The courthouse is only about 2 miles from here, otherwise.
We had four and a half inches of rain last night. If this is herbicide damage, would the rain make any difference on the outcome?
Looking online I see that the land is owned by a trust. I wonder if the courthouse would even be able to tell me the farmer’s name?
Good chance it’s rented out. But someone locally should be able to supply a name. Either a nearby farmer or farming related business.
Same sort of deal happened with one of our posters earlier this year.
Read about it here:
Yes, I remember reading about cityman’s disaster. My trees do not look like the pictures of 2,4D damage. There are also some wild grapes growing close to the field that are not affected at all. If it were the first year of growing things on that land, I would have wondered if it were something in the soil, but last year the trees grew fine. This year the leaves are yellow to even white, especially on the upper parts of the trees. The kiwis I set out just minutes before the sprayer came through are solid yellow. Even first-year raspberries a distance away have yellow leaves, although the cherry bushes seem less affected. I see that the name I wrote down that was on the sprayer was just the brand name of the sprayer, so that is of no help. We have now had 5" of rain in the last 12 hours. I hope it is of some help to my poor plantings.
Yellow/white leaves would suggest Command but not on corn. Would really help to have a pic otherwise just shooting in the dark.
Depending upon what it is: No difference (any non-absorbed already inactivated or not an aqueous based herbicide), can wash off some remainder, or can rehydrate followed by additional uptake of herbicide.