How to Know If a Mimosa Tree Is Dead
Mimosa trees are stunningly beautiful when in bloom. Gardeners are generally taken by their unique beauty, but at the same time loath the upkeep of these finicky trees. Unfortunately, not only do they require quite a bit of tedious upkeep, but they are also prone to fungal diseases and pests. Mimosa trees don't have a long life span due to their predisposition to vascular wilt, which is a fungus that destroys the roots of the tree and is especially common in areas in New Mexico. So how can you be sure that your Mimosa tree is dead?
Getting Started
Check the mimosa tree for yellowing leaves. The earlier signs of a dying mimosa tree are leaves that are beginning to turn yellow. This can occur at any point of the year, but if it is in the beginning of summer, or in the middle of summer when the tree should be thriving, yellow leaves are not a good sign.
See if there are any wilting leaves. Along with leaves that have turned yellow, in what is called chlorosis, leaves may continue to wilt and the mimosa will begin to droop and look unhealthy on the whole.
Check if there are many fallen leaves on the floor around the tree. As the disease progresses, both the yellowing and wilting leaves will fall to the ground. In fact the leaves may not even have time to wilt, and still be a bright shade of yellow as they fall below.
Look for brown stripes on the tree's roots, branches and trunk. As the tree reaches the very end of its life, you will see brown stripes appear both on the tree's roots and along the branches and trunk.
Check for seeping fluids. A dead mimosa tree will emit a seeping liquid that is frothy in nature from splits in the trunk and limbs. If you see this seepage you can be sure your tree is dead.
Tip
Along with the seeping fluid from the tree, there may also be shoots that have grown along areas of the trunk. These are further signs that your tree has succumbed to vascular wilt.
Supply your tree with a balanced 10:10:10 fertilizer,following instructions on the package.
Warning
Many gardeners have found that by fertilizing their tree they can reduce the chances of it being infected with vascular wilt. However, be certain that if you choose a fertilizer that it is not one that is made with high-nitrogen.
