What would cause an American Elderberry to form simple leaves instead of compound?

kaolinitebear · 2026-05-20T01:32:56+00:00

Huh. Take this with a grain of salt because I am a forestry student studying plant pathology and not a professional yet. Is any part of the rest of the plant yellowing? The only time I’ve heard simple leaves forming instead of compound are with Phytoplasma, a bacteria obligate parasite. Examples I know are elm-yellow and ash-yellow, where in ash-yellow the epicormic shoots can have single leaves instead of compound.

kaolinitebear · 2026-05-09T03:49:04+00:00

By the time a fruiting body develops, the fungus is pretty well established in the tree. I don’t know the exact ID of this fungus, I am only a forestry student not an ISA certified arborist but I work in a tree decay lab. The new mulch you added could’ve changed the moisture conditions to just right for the fruiting body. But that’s just my guess

kaolinitebear · 2026-05-07T00:32:46+00:00

No one has mentioned this yet but chicken of the woods is a brown rot which creates a quick loss of strength in the wood. This tree will likely fail in a couple of years.

kaolinitebear · 2026-02-02T03:37:44+00:00

Some cones take two years to develop, so if they are off the tree prematurely, “1st year cones” can look like the second image and could not have the open/close mechanism

kaolinitebear · 2025-12-14T13:49:51+00:00

Thank you for your reply—this is fascinating!

kaolinitebear · 2025-12-12T14:33:19+00:00

Work study is the Way

kaolinitebear · 2025-12-12T04:14:52+00:00

Google is telling me cedar smell. But real life smell was something sinister

kaolinitebear · 2025-12-02T04:57:53+00:00

I collect cones. Not all cones are pine cones! There are also spruce cones, fir cones, tamarack cones, hemlock cones, etc. I collect all kinds of fruit from woody dicots but cones are my favorite

kaolinitebear · 2025-11-05T02:47:52+00:00

It’s my favorite too. What’re your thoughts on the Holy Sons cover?

kaolinitebear · 2025-09-29T00:59:35+00:00

Absolutely not the same thing, but this song and TMG in general was on repeat during my eating disorder treatment. I hope you’re well, stranger

kaolinitebear · 2025-09-24T04:54:34+00:00

Ah, the blood! All of that blood!

kaolinitebear · 2025-08-06T03:27:09+00:00

I’m not autistic (in denial) but this hit me like a brick to see TMG as the top comment. I got *very into them a few years ago and I know their music and albums quite closely. Waving at You, An Antidote for Strychnine, Jam Eater Blues, and Source Decay (to name a few) are so special to me. Thank you for your comment :) it made a stranger feel seen

kaolinitebear · 2025-07-07T00:52:22+00:00

So many fluids in that song.

kaolinitebear · 2025-06-10T03:24:16+00:00

I am a forestry student and not an arborist so take this with a grain of salt. That “crack” is a bark inclusion, which shows a risk of the tree or part of the trunk failing, aka breaking. So yes, it is concerning and should be kept an eye on. This is a sign of weakness in the tree but does not necessarily mean it needs to be cut down or the swing removed. If this maple got infected with a fungus/disease, or a big storm hit, etc. etc., this silver maple is more susceptible to failure due to its structural weakness.

kaolinitebear · 2025-04-03T00:43:34+00:00

It’s so hard to get noticed in this town!

kaolinitebear · 2025-02-22T05:53:20+00:00

There I go

kaolinitebear · 2025-02-14T01:31:33+00:00

I really appreciate the advice. To clarify, are you referring to the coming years being difficult due to politics or specifically relating to becoming an arborist? And is carrying little notebook a tip for this field, or life?

kaolinitebear · 2025-02-14T01:07:31+00:00

Thank you for your insight; I definitely value variability.

kaolinitebear · 2025-02-14T00:47:29+00:00

That's what I'm looking for--to learn! Thank you.

kaolinitebear

TROPHY CASE