Elm Tree Did Not Drop All Dead Leaves From Last Fall And Has Not Produced Any Leaves This Year

Question From: K. Demm - Fort Scott, Kansas, United States
Q: The Elm tree was fine last year but some of the dead leaves never fell off in the fall. Now it has not grown ANY new leaves. The tree looks dead! HELP! The only thing I can think of that may have happened is my farming neighbor right beside the tree sprayed his field to kill it off last fall. Could that have hurt it?

A: If it has not leafed out it's a goner. Why it happened I can't tell you. Drift of an insecticide may have contributed to the tree's demise. Lack of moisture may also have contributed. Folks don't tend to water "big" trees during droughts. They need to be watered. Best Nancy