Cause of Leaf Drop in Chitalpa

Q. Is it common for the Chitalpa tree to partially defoliate in the summer? What would be the optimum amount of water for 15-foot Chitalpa tree growing in Kingman, Arizona?

Not the readers chitalpa but s picture I had.

A. Chitalpa, like some African sumac, is notorious for leaf drop in the middle of summer. According to several authorities from New Mexico and Arizona this is common with this tree.

Bacterial Disease

            According to the plant pathologist from New Mexico State University, this tree has a bacterial issue that causes some of its water tubes to get plugged. This causes the leaves on the tree to get scorched like it’s not getting enough water and in severe leaf scorching, the leaves drop.

            It’s similar, if not the same, disease we see on grapes called Pierce’s Disease. You can try giving it more water all under its canopy and see if that helps. If it’s a lack of water because it’s not getting any you will see the tree improve. Anyway, apply enough water to wet the soil under the canopy a depth of 2 feet.

Spread to Grapes

            From what I understand there is no cure for this disease and  ach plant has it because of how it’s propagated. Some scientists think this disease may be transmitted by a small insect similar to a leafhopper. So, get rid of any weeds growing nearby to the tree. It is possible this disease could be spread from your Chitalpa to nearby grapes. The symptoms are similar; leaf scorch and leaf drop but in grapes its eventual plant death.