What's wrong with my ash?

[kelLOGg]

One of my ash trees has sparse leaves everywhere except at the bottom. ( There is a vine growing up the trunk so the greenery near the trunk is not ash).
 

 

A closer view:
 

 
This has happened before in previous springs and the leaves eventually re-grew and looked normal.


200 feet away is a nice looking ash for comparison.
 

 

[beenthere]

For sure, cut out that vine. They kill off the tops of trees real quick (around here anyway).

[kelLOGg]

I don't like vines in trees, either. This one crept up on me the tree before I knew it.    It's history now.
Bob

[Phorester]

Can you give us a picture of the trunk a couple of feet away from it, and one or two of the leaves about a foot away from them?

[kelLOGg]

Leaves, showing healthy late spring new growth and the dying/dead first spring growth. This happens just about every spring for the last several years.
 

 

Northside of trunk
 

  


Southside


 

[WDH]

I suspect that it is a soil problem.  Either root compaction or there is some type of nutrient deficiency.  A soil test would be in order. 

[kelLOGg]

The north side of the tree is where we had a garden until we reduced its size so the soil is quite soft and rich there from years of adding compost. The tree is on a small bank which slopes south to the driveway which has been there 33+ years.

[Phorester]

I believe it has anthracnose.  This can occur every year.  Not normally a health concern if the tree is healthy otherwise.

[kelLOGg]

Thanks, I googled anthracnose and the pics of leaves resemble what I observe.
Bob