Burr Oak Tree Unconcerns - Ask Extension
I have three large Burr Oak trees. Normally we have some loss of leaves from squirrels and wind each year, but this year we have leaves coming down a...
Knowledgebase
Burr Oak Tree Unconcerns #329218
Asked June 06, 2016, 9:25 AM EDT
I have three large Burr Oak trees. Normally we have some loss of leaves from squirrels and wind each year, but this year we have leaves coming down attached to the twigs mostly from one tree. The end of the twig appears to be broken off and is not cut off like the squirrels do. Is this a normal cycle for a tree or does it indicate a problem? It is a large tree and is estimated to be at least 200 years old. Thank you.
Polk County Iowa
Expert Response
I don't believe the bur oak trees have a serious problem.
The trees may simply be shedding some "surplus" growth.
Squirrels commonly chew off small twigs on trees. Twig girdlers (an insect) damage twigs in late summer, eventually causing the damaged twigs to drop to the ground. Neither squirrels nor twig girdlers are responsible for the twig loss on your bur oaks. However, the loss of twigs due to squirrels, twig girdlers or some other factor seldom cause serious harm to healthy trees.
The trees may simply be shedding some "surplus" growth.
Squirrels commonly chew off small twigs on trees. Twig girdlers (an insect) damage twigs in late summer, eventually causing the damaged twigs to drop to the ground. Neither squirrels nor twig girdlers are responsible for the twig loss on your bur oaks. However, the loss of twigs due to squirrels, twig girdlers or some other factor seldom cause serious harm to healthy trees.
