Oak wilt or something else? - Ask Extension
We recently moved into a new build home (from Oregon) and our oak in the front yard is looking sad. The bottom branches leaves are drooping with whiti...
Knowledgebase
Oak wilt or something else? #792334
Asked May 23, 2022, 8:21 PM EDT
We recently moved into a new build home (from Oregon) and our oak in the front yard is looking sad. The bottom branches leaves are drooping with whitish green spots on the backside of the leaves. Attached are some pictures.
Ottawa County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Megan
No, your pictures do not show signs of oak wilt. They do show oak leaf galls, the tree’s reaction to tiny wasps laying their eggs in the leaves. Here are many kinds of galls and they are harmless, and require no action on your part.
https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef408
The drooping leaves could be due to unusual cold weather or very dry, or very wet soil. If the soil is very dry you can use a soaker hose to slowly water the tree.
For your future reference, here are the signs of oak wilt and how you can get a diagnosis if you see the signs.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/oak_wilt_diagnosing_and_preventing
https://www.michiganoakwilt.org/
No, your pictures do not show signs of oak wilt. They do show oak leaf galls, the tree’s reaction to tiny wasps laying their eggs in the leaves. Here are many kinds of galls and they are harmless, and require no action on your part.
https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef408
The drooping leaves could be due to unusual cold weather or very dry, or very wet soil. If the soil is very dry you can use a soaker hose to slowly water the tree.
For your future reference, here are the signs of oak wilt and how you can get a diagnosis if you see the signs.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/oak_wilt_diagnosing_and_preventing
https://www.michiganoakwilt.org/
