Question
Our young golden chain tree is dying; leaves withered.  It resembles what happened to our wisteria vine last year and to its new shoots this year; the leaves appear thin and discolored and finally shrivel up.  Can they be suffering from the same disease?  I took a sample of the wisteria to the Oregon Agricultural station and they couldn't identify what was wrong except for the possibility of an herbacide drift.  We don't use any ourselves so are getting quite concerned for the general health of our other trees as well.  Thank you.  Alice Lynn  

Answer
There is no disease that would infect both the wisteria and the golden rain tree. Without seeing the symptoms on the tree It will be difficult to ID the problem. Going with the Extension Service--check and see if a herbicide was used on the lawn near the tree. Liquid herbicides are usually fine but granular ones can damage trees. One of these is called Weed and Feed--a fertilizer /herbicide combination for lawns. IF this was used this would cause the problem. Any granular herbicide near the root system would be a problem.

Sorry I can not be of any better help.