diff --git a/lib/net/ldap.rb b/lib/net/ldap.rb
index 4ba27339..356a4541 100644
--- a/lib/net/ldap.rb
+++ b/lib/net/ldap.rb
@@ -1170,14 +1170,22 @@ def delete(args)
   # entries. This method sends an extra control code to tell the LDAP server
   # to do a tree delete. ('1.2.840.113556.1.4.805')
   #
+  # If the LDAP server does not support the DELETE_TREE control code, subordinate
+  # entries are deleted recursively instead.
+  #
   # Returns True or False to indicate whether the delete succeeded. Extended
   # status information is available by calling #get_operation_result.
   #
   #  dn = "mail=deleteme@example.com, ou=people, dc=example, dc=com"
   #  ldap.delete_tree :dn => dn
   def delete_tree(args)
-    delete(args.merge(:control_codes => [[Net::LDAP::LDAPControls::DELETE_TREE, true]]))
+    if search_root_dse[:supportedcontrol].include? Net::LDAP::LDAPControls::DELETE_TREE
+      delete(args.merge(:control_codes => [[Net::LDAP::LDAPControls::DELETE_TREE, true]]))
+    else
+      recursive_delete(args)
+    end
   end
+
   # This method is experimental and subject to change. Return the rootDSE
   # record from the LDAP server as a Net::LDAP::Entry, or an empty Entry if
   # the server doesn't return the record.
@@ -1330,4 +1338,19 @@ def normalize_encryption(args)
     end
   end
 
+  # Recursively delete a dn and it's subordinate children.
+  # This is useful when a server does not support the DELETE_TREE control code.
+  def recursive_delete(args)
+    raise EmptyDNError unless args.is_a?(Hash) && args.has_key?(:dn)
+    # Delete Children
+    search(base: args[:dn], scope: Net::LDAP::SearchScope_SingleLevel) do |entry|
+      recursive_delete(dn: entry.dn)
+    end
+    # Delete Self
+    unless delete(dn: args[:dn])
+      raise Net::LDAP::Error, self.get_operation_result[:error_message].to_s
+    end
+    true
+  end
+
 end # class LDAP