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Is this oak wilt? #752296

Asked May 26, 2021, 1:52 PM EDT

Hello, An oak in my Minneapolis yard started budding out like normal this spring. Yesterday I noticed half the leaves were shriveled and dying. Could this be oak wilt? I also noticed a crack in the trunk...but I couldn't tell if it was just the bark or it went deeper. The diameter of the tree is about 6 inches. Thank you!

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.

The is dying and it appears to be a sudden death as would be caused by a fungus.  The leaves that I see appear atypical for an oak.  Can you send me a picture of two mildly affected leaves lying on paper?

Regardless, this tree is not only dying, it may be becoming structurally unsound.  A certified arborist should be called to 

1) diagnose in order to guide future plantings 

2) assess similar nearby trees for signs of a similar infection and

3) to remove the tree. 

Thank you for the information.  I have two other oaks very near to this one, in addition to one on the boulevard.  Could it spread?
I attached the requested photo.  

LoriImage.jpeg


From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 2:19:59 PM
To: Lori Robinson <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Is this oak wilt? (#0022227)
 
The Question Asker Replied May 26, 2021, 4:22 PM EDT

Hi Lori, 

I did not get the image. Usually this is because the image is too large. Shrink it to under 2 megs and try again.

Oak wilt definitely spreads. So if this is the diagnosis and if the other trees do not show signs of infection, then root intermingling should be cut when the tree is taken down.  https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/oak-wilt-minnesota

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