Knowledgebase

White oak leaf- tree disease? #793952

Asked June 03, 2022, 7:44 AM EDT

I have a small (3 1/2 ft tall) white oak that looked fine until last weekend. The top new-growth leaves suddenly look curled and I notice all leaves have a strange, bumpy texture. What could be causing this?

Genesee County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello
Sudden curling and odd growth are often indicators of a herbicide overspray that is affecting the leaves. This could have come from a weedkiller applied to a lawn or other area. And breezy days or warm days such chemicals can be carried on the air.
We might be able to tell you more if you would include a picture of the whole tree from soil line to top, and another example of leaves showing the backside.  
Keep the tree watered during dry times all this season. If some leaves drop off the tree dormant buds should sprout if there’s enough time left in the growing season.
Here is a better shot of the leaf underside.  The tree is in a wire cage to protect from deer so I can’t get a good side shot of it, but this leaf shows some type of stuff all underneath. Does this help?  

We don’t use any type of herbicides on our yard and the field next to us has not been sprayed. Thanks for your help!Inline image




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On Friday, June 3, 2022, 8:27 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied June 03, 2022, 12:15 PM EDT
Thank you for the second photo. This looks like some sort of damage from a wasp or mite, which induces galls by piercing the leaf. However, I couldn’t narrow it to which one using my references.

Please email both pictures with your tree care/history  information to MSU Plant Diagnostic lab. —<personal data hidden> 
They have plant pathologists on staff who can likely ID this for you.

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