Oak Tree Questions

[bowman]

I have couple of questions about Oak Trees and Oak Wilt and I didn't wan to add needless clutter to dbltree's Oak thread.

Question #1. My buddy noticed several bur oak trees around that are turning brown instead of fall color and he was told that they are dying due to oak wilt. Does oak wilt affect white or swamp white as much? It seemed that it was mostly burr oak that he was seeing that were having problems.

Question #2. I have a swamp white oak that I planted in my yard approximately 6 years ago. Last year it sent up suckers from the roots in a few places. I waited until winter and dug down as far as I could and cut the suckers. When the ground thawed I found that my cut was approximately an inch or two above ground. They have shot up again and I want to cut it back but am worried about disease. Could I dig down now, under the dirt level, and cut it and cover it or should I wait until the tree is dormant to cut? What can I do to get it to quit sprouting the suckers?

Thanks!!!:way:

 

[Hardwood11]

I have couple of questions about Oak Trees and Oak Wilt and I didn't wan to add needless clutter to dbltree's Oak thread.

Question #1. My buddy noticed several bur oak trees around that are turning brown instead of fall color and he was told that they are dying due to oak wilt. Does oak wilt affect white or swamp white as much? It seemed that it was mostly burr oak that he was seeing that were having problems.

Question #2. I have a swamp white oak that I planted in my yard approximately 6 years ago. Last year it sent up suckers from the roots in a few places. I waited until winter and dug down as far as I could and cut the suckers. When the ground thawed I found that my cut was approximately an inch or two above ground. They have shot up again and I want to cut it back but am worried about disease. Could I dig down now, under the dirt level, and cut it and cover it or should I wait until the tree is dormant to cut? What can I do to get it to quit sprouting the suckers?

Thanks!!!:way:

I will try to answer question #1... Are you sure that the tree is dying or just turning brown? If you have had dry weather, that can happen.

I would encourage you not make any major decisions until you know that it is oak wilt. There is some oak wilt around and some oak borer problems as well, but I would get a confirmation first.

 

[Daver]

I'll add more questions than answers I am afraid...I have had some oaks in my timber die in the past several years from what someone told me was oak wilt. All of them were rad oaks to the best of my memory.

I have a few more that the leaves turned brown on way early this year that I hope are not dying, but rather stressing from the severe lack of rain in our area this summer. I was planning on seeing how they look next spring.

 

[Packnasty]

Tough to confirm oak wilt without seeing it. Oak wilt is typically spread through the tree roots. Tree roots of one tree would have to naturally graft onto tree roots of an adjacent tree. Therefore, you will see clumps of nearby oaks all showing the same signs. You wouldn't see one here, one there, etc.

A simple google search indicated that springtime is the worst time to prune an oak. I would dig down to the base of the sucker now and then make the cut right next to the main root sometime in early winter. Tho, my experiences with suckers is even if you cut them, they will always continue to come back.

 

[DWilk]

Question 1: Oak wilt is most harmful on the red oak species, but it can affect whites. Bur oak is more susceptible than white oak with regards to the white oaks. In fact, white oak almost NEVER gets it, but bur can be susceptible under the right circumstances. Usually, if bur oak is suffering from the wilt, other factors are playing into it as well. There is a pretty serious disease coming into play with bur oaks that is known as 'bur oak blight'. Combine that with oak wilt and it can be a deadly combo.

Do you have pictures of the tree? Has he had problems before? Are the affected trees in a pocket or are they spread out? It could be a simple case of anthracnose fungi on the leaves... anthracnose is pretty common on oaks in the late summer/fall but is not fatal. The leaves will have big splotches of brown coloration.

Question 2: The tree is most likely being stressed by something. How many suckers are we talking, and how far away from the base of the tree are they? Are you positive they are sprouts from that tree or are there other trees around?

It is possible that the tree wasn't planted at the correct depth and/or the roots were 'root-bound' and in such the root system didn't develop properly. Have you done any work around the tree this last year that you haven't done in the past? Did you apply any chemicals on the lawn, etc. differently this year?

 

[Packnasty]

Also, suckers are usually a response to a wound of some sort. Oaks don't typically sucker that much, so you may have a related problem.

All species of oaks are susceptible to wilt. This is from ISU Extension:

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/sul15.pdf

 

[bowman]

Nothing new has happened other than pruning the last two years on the lower branches during late winter. There are no other oaks around so the suckers are definately from this tree. Some are within an inch or two, the other is about 16" away.

Ignore the hostas. I needed a place for them and this is where they landed.

As far as the depth or root ball, those are possibilities. I got the tree from Operation Re-Leaf 6 years ago and I planted it. I cut the root ball several times with a utility knife as instructed but I might have messed something up on depth. I'm just curious as to how to stop it without hurting the tree????

 

[letemgrow]

Remember there is another disease that bur oaks are susceptible and will kill them...can't remember the name of it right now. Could be a host of things...is the area super dry from lack of rain? That can play a huge factor.

 

[letemgrow]

Question 1: Oak wilt is most harmful on the red oak species, but it can affect whites. Bur oak is more susceptible than white oak with regards to the white oaks. In fact, white oak almost NEVER gets it, but bur can be susceptible under the right circumstances. Usually, if bur oak is suffering from the wilt, other factors are playing into it as well. There is a pretty serious disease coming into play with bur oaks that is known as 'bur oak blight'. Combine that with oak wilt and it can be a deadly combo.

Do you have pictures of the tree? Has he had problems before? Are the affected trees in a pocket or are they spread out? It could be a simple case of anthracnose fungi on the leaves... anthracnose is pretty common on oaks in the late summer/fall but is not fatal. The leaves will have big splotches of brown coloration.

Question 2: The tree is most likely being stressed by something. How many suckers are we talking, and how far away from the base of the tree are they? Are you positive they are sprouts from that tree or are there other trees around?

It is possible that the tree wasn't planted at the correct depth and/or the roots were 'root-bound' and in such the root system didn't develop properly. Have you done any work around the tree this last year that you haven't done in the past? Did you apply any chemicals on the lawn, etc. differently this year?

Should have read your post first before I posted.

All those could be the reason or at least part of the reason for the decline.

 

[Packnasty]

I'm guessing drought stress. Could be crown rot too. Looks like it's planted a little deep. Pull some of the soil away from the base of the tree... if you can get down to where the trunk flares, that will help it out. Over time, the flare of the tree will work its way back up to soil grade. Regardless, get that tree some water. This is the best time of the year to water them in real good. Give them a good soaking (esp. the Swamp Whites)

 

[Packnasty]

Also, throw a tree ring of mulch around the base of it. It will help stabilize and retain the moisture levels.

 

[jw_wildfire]

Bur oaks very rarely get oak wilt. It is more likely it is Bur Oak Blight, a fungal disease the has really come on the last few years.

It does look like your SWO was planted a little shallow, but still, it is very uncommon for any oak to respond like this. I would cut the suckers and mulch around the tree. Also, what chemical are you spraying around the base? It looks like you have gotten awfully close to the base of the tree. This is more than likely the cause of the stress. Stay away from chemicals, and stick to mulch.

 

[bowman]

It does look like your SWO was planted a little shallow, but still, it is very uncommon for any oak to respond like this. I would cut the suckers and mulch around the tree. Also, what chemical are you spraying around the base? It looks like you have gotten awfully close to the base of the tree. This is more than likely the cause of the stress. Stay away from chemicals, and stick to mulch.

Most of it is old mulch that is sun bleached and needs replenished. I spot sprayed some of the weeds with round up during late summer. The suckers have been regrowing for a few years. I gave it a good soaking last night! :way: