Our tulip tree is covered in wilted leaves, but is flowering. Does that mean there's hope for it?

Question

We live in Kansas City. The leaves of our tulip tree are completely wilted. The leaves seemed to develop normally, but after the early May snow, the leaves all wilted but have not come out of it. It is flowering, however. The tree is probably 30-40 feet tall. We had that really bad drought last summer, but all the other trees around seem to have survived fine. We didn't notice any stress to the tree last summer or fall. Is there any hope that the tree will come out of it? It is a very important shade tree for our backyard.

 

Thanks for any info you can provide!

(Posted 5-26-2013)

Answer 1

The tree is putting all its energy on producing the flowers for the next generation.  The shock of the cold weather coupled with the apparent lack of water has triggered a survival mode in the tree itself.  To save your tree buy some plant food and mix it with calcuim (powered egg shells) and lots of water, then each day pour 1/2 pint to a full pint at the base of the tree (but not all in one spot).  Do this for about 2 weeks and you will see a noticable difference. -Birdy