I have a very nice 6 or 7 year old River Burch that shed all it's leaves a few weeks ago. This spring it was completely filled out and beautiful. then wham, in two days it was bald.
I am guessing it cought some weed killer in the wind or something.
Do you think it's dead or will it come back next year?
You say 6 or 7 years old.. that is age from a seed? from a seedling? or from a planted balled tree?
Will help to know the history in those few years.
Its from a ball and has always been a great tree. Its about 25 foot tall
Has it been hot and dry?
Balled tree. Leads to next question in addition to WDH's question about water/moisture available these past years.
What was the dirt like around the hole that the ball was placed in when planting? Was the burlap/wire cut off or left on? Was the tree tied so it couldn't move around when the wind blew?
I'd now be sure it has plenty of water (not drowned out either), and hope that the branches and twigs are not dried out.
If they set new buds, then there is hope for its survival. If no new buds or dried branches, then replace with another tree.
Yes its been hot but I use a root feeder and water it regularly.
In the past when it gets hot it would always shed a few leaves (If I didn't get water to it in time) but it has never lost all its leaves like it did this time and im sure it's not from lack of water.
I fear a neighbor used some weed killer and the wind drifted it onto my tree.
Scratch a twig near the tip of a branch. If it is green and moist underneath the bark, you will probably be OK. If they are brown and dried, you will be able to tell. Hopefully the twig under the bark is green and moist.
Don't know what your neighbor sprayed, but would doubt the effect from wind drift would be what you are seeing. There would be other evidence if so, and you didn't mention anything else.
At least hope there is some green left under the bark per WDH.