| A variety of cultural practices such as deep planting and
flush-cut pruning, as well as trunk and root injuries, are suspected of
being causal factors in the development of sunscald on ornamental trees.
Emerald Queen Norway maple (Acer platanoides 'Emerald Queen') and
Greenspire littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata 'PNI 6025') were transplanted
with these conditions and injuries, and with current guidelines for transplanting
followed. These same species with sunscald injuries were dissected and examined
microscopically to determine if a source of the injury could be determined.
Trees in all treatment categories developed sunscald except those deep planted
and receiving follow-up watering. Most sunscald injuries were associated
with flatheaded borer (Buprestidae spp.) damage. Dissections revealed
a number of causes of sunscald injuries, including borer damage, canker-causing
fungi, and radial cracks in the xylem. Reducing the incidence of sunscald
may be as simple as adequate watering the first growing season after transplanting. |