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Oak tree has spotted leaves #757872

Asked June 23, 2021, 10:49 AM EDT

We live in Brighton. We have many Oaks but this one, near the wetlands, has new growth on the lower portion and the leaves are a lighter green than the older growth and there are some spots. Thanks for your help. Ann

Livingston County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello

The first picture looks like tubakia leaf spot, or it may be some galls forming on he leaves. Neither one is life threatening.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/tubakia_leaf_spot_appearing_on_oak_trees

https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/tubakia-and-bur-oak-blight/


The reddish bump is a type of gall, probably a hedgehog gall,  caused by a wasp, and these are harmless.

https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/oak/leavesbumps.html

The lighter green leaves probably are not darkening as usual because they are shaded by the leaves above them.

What you can do is keep the trees watered during dry times, like we had earlier this spring, and continue watering in summer and early fall if the rain subsides for more than 2-3 weeks.

Removing some young saplings so that trees have plenty of air circulation, sun, and space to grow will also increase the vigor of the trees you want to keep. Raking up and discarding leaves in fall will reduce some of the sources of the leaf spots for next season.

Thanks!!!

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 23, 2021, at 3:09 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 25, 2021, 10:55 AM EDT

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