What’s wrong with my rowan?
Julie Lister, by email
Stefan says: You tell me you planted a rowan tree in your garden last year but this season it’s been affected by a condition that’s caused the branch extremities to shrivel and die and you’re concerned it may end up in serious damage. When I read of symptoms like those you describe, the first fear is the aggressive bacterial disease called fireblight, but I don’t think this is true here.
Rowans and their close relatives in the genus sorbus are prone to die back in this way and my suspicion is there must be root damage. When the branch extremities die on any plant, always look first at the roots. From what you’ve said, the plant may also be rather confined in its position but in any event, if this has happened within one year of your purchase, a reputable nursery should replace it for you.