Knowledgebase

White Oak dying #741559

Asked March 30, 2021, 11:14 AM EDT

We have 4 white oaks in a row. All of them died 2 years ago. All at the same time. Now they are shedding their bark in huge pieces. Not sure if we can cut them down and use the wood of if the trees need to be destroyed. Branches are falling, but not big ones. Notices holes in the wood a few days ago.

Anoka County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for your question.  I am hoping to provide the most accurate information possible.  Are you able to take photos of the trees?  Also, what was the approximate age and size of the trees?  Were they planted near any other trees or roads?  Did they die suddenly or did they appear to be failing for a longer time?  

Thank you for the additional information!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied March 30, 2021, 8:16 PM EDT
Another picture

On Wed, Mar 31, 2021, 1:25 PM Patti Johnson <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thanks for the reply. We have been here for 30 years and the trees were already here.  They are towards the back of the property away from any roads. They are near other trees. In 2018, they had a normal year; green and full. All 4 of them just didn't come back at all in the spring of 2019.  I have added pictures

On Tue, Mar 30, 2021, 7:16 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 31, 2021, 2:28 PM EDT
Thanks for the reply. We have been here for 30 years and the trees were already here.  They are towards the back of the property away from any roads. They are near other trees. In 2018, they had a normal year; green and full. All 4 of them just didn't come back at all in the spring of 2019.  I have added pictures

On Tue, Mar 30, 2021, 7:16 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 31, 2021, 2:28 PM EDT
Last one

On Wed, Mar 31, 2021, 1:28 PM Patti Johnson <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
One more

On Wed, Mar 31, 2021, 1:27 PM Patti Johnson <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Another picture

On Wed, Mar 31, 2021, 1:25 PM Patti Johnson <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thanks for the reply. We have been here for 30 years and the trees were already here.  They are towards the back of the property away from any roads. They are near other trees. In 2018, they had a normal year; green and full. All 4 of them just didn't come back at all in the spring of 2019.  I have added pictures

On Tue, Mar 30, 2021, 7:16 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 31, 2021, 2:34 PM EDT
One more

On Wed, Mar 31, 2021, 1:27 PM Patti Johnson <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Another picture

On Wed, Mar 31, 2021, 1:25 PM Patti Johnson <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thanks for the reply. We have been here for 30 years and the trees were already here.  They are towards the back of the property away from any roads. They are near other trees. In 2018, they had a normal year; green and full. All 4 of them just didn't come back at all in the spring of 2019.  I have added pictures

On Tue, Mar 30, 2021, 7:16 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 31, 2021, 2:34 PM EDT

Hello again.  I showed your photos to a forester to get an expert opinion.  He felt that while it appeared that they died suddenly, they were likely failing for some time.  He said that it often starts in the canopy and is not easily visible.  He didn't feel that this was a disease like oak wilt because white oak is generally resistant.  He did not feel that it was related to possible herbicide drift from the nearby fields because there are other trees nearby that are fine.  He said that he would have no concerns about using the wood from the trees as it would not spread disease.  

I'm so sorry you lost your lovely trees and that it isn't possible to determine an exact cause.  Thank you again for your question.  

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 05, 2021, 9:24 AM EDT
Thank you so much. That makes me feel better. I appreciate the time you took to investigate this and get back to me so quickly

On Mon, Apr 5, 2021, 8:24 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied April 05, 2021, 9:35 AM EDT

Very happy to help!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 05, 2021, 12:52 PM EDT

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