I have been observing something in this area (Kewanee in Henry County) - there has been a drastic decline in the number of Box Elder trees in the past five years. I used to have around five on my own five acres, but I am down to one very sick looking one now. If I look along creeks in this area I can see the remains of other Box Elder trees that were healthy a few years ago. Is there something that is killing these trees? I know the Box Elder tree is not a highly desirable tree, but it seems to be dying off, at least around here.

Hello Roger!

Well, I spoke with Dr. James Appleby, our forest entomologist at the University of Illinois. According to Jim, boxelder trees suffered a setback two years ago due to a very severe frost in early May in the northern half of the state. Boxelder trees are also sensitive to herbicide drift from adjacent agriculture fields. Other than that, Jim has not heard of any general decline of the species.

August 12, 2014 These posts have no dates so I don't have any clue how current the previous posts are.

I just walked the timber and the boxelders are in varying stages of dying. This is not isolated, this is all of them. I want to cut all the sick trees down, my husband hopes they will recover. Any clue what this is?

Hi Donna:

Combined w/ Dr. Appleby mentioned above, along with the droughts of 2012 & 2013, it is not surprising to see decline in certain species, especially shallow-rooted species like boxelder.

Please contact your local IDNR district forester for an on-site assessment of this decline / dieback.

IDNR District Foresters: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/forestry/pdf/tfb-nres-201-14.pdf