Fungus killing Oak trees
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:36 am
I wanted to update all of you on something that should be of concern to Lakewood tree owners/lovers. Because of super storm Sandy, Oak trees are more at risk than before. The Oak leaves in the picture are showing signs of Oak Wilt, a deadly disease to Oaks. The Red Oak family is most susceptible, but the White Oak family is still at risk, they just die slower. Identifying the difference is fairly simple. Leaves with pointed 'lobes' are from the Red Oak Family, rounded lobes are from the White Oak family. I have already treated trees in Lakewood for Oak Wilt, and there are areas in Bay Village that have been hard hit by it.
When the tree "senses" the presence of the fungus, which attacks and travels through the vascular system of the tree, it tries to stop the spread of it by actually plugging up it's own vascular system, in actuality, killing itself. It's very hard to identify this time of year, unless you can discover the presence of the fungus under the bark, which is not always possible.
Oak Wilt is a fungus generally transmitted by insects (varieties of bark and "picnic" beetles), and by root grafts between trees. Beetles are attracted to injured or cut wood. One way to slow the transmission of the fungus is to NOT prune Oaks during the warm months (generally April - October). So, if you have Oaks damaged by the recent storm, don't think you're doing your Oak, or the tree company any favors by waiting until the weather warms up. Doing it before your taxes are due will reduce the risk of transmission. Oak Wilt can kill a 100 foot tall Oak in a matter of months.
When the tree "senses" the presence of the fungus, which attacks and travels through the vascular system of the tree, it tries to stop the spread of it by actually plugging up it's own vascular system, in actuality, killing itself. It's very hard to identify this time of year, unless you can discover the presence of the fungus under the bark, which is not always possible.
Oak Wilt is a fungus generally transmitted by insects (varieties of bark and "picnic" beetles), and by root grafts between trees. Beetles are attracted to injured or cut wood. One way to slow the transmission of the fungus is to NOT prune Oaks during the warm months (generally April - October). So, if you have Oaks damaged by the recent storm, don't think you're doing your Oak, or the tree company any favors by waiting until the weather warms up. Doing it before your taxes are due will reduce the risk of transmission. Oak Wilt can kill a 100 foot tall Oak in a matter of months.