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).
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13036/ash_001.jpg)
A closer view:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13036/ash_003.jpg)
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.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13036/ash_002.jpg)
For sure, cut out that vine. They kill off the tops of trees real quick (around here anyway).
I don't like vines in trees, either. This one crept up on me the tree before I knew it. ;D It's history now.
Bob
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?
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.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13036/ash2_006.jpg)
Northside of trunk
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13036/ash2_003.jpg)
Southside
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13036/ash2_007.jpg)
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.
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.
I believe it has anthracnose. This can occur every year. Not normally a health concern if the tree is healthy otherwise.
Thanks, I googled anthracnose and the pics of leaves resemble what I observe.
Bob