Very important White Oak tree in poor health - Ask Extension
Hello,
My name is Justin Titus and I am reaching out due to a very important White Oak tree at the front of my house that is having some issues....
Knowledgebase
Very important White Oak tree in poor health #805387
Asked August 09, 2022, 10:38 AM EDT
Hello,
My name is Justin Titus and I am reaching out due to a very important White Oak tree at the front of my house that is having some issues. I am afraid it might be, but hopeful it isn’t Oak wilt. I have attached a few pictures and I am hoping you could take a look at them and give me your opinion and maybe options if possible. I live outside of West Mansfield (43358). This tree is very important to our shade and landscape and I appreciate any advice you may have.
Logan County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Justin,
Thank you for the pictures, but even with them it is hard to identify the problem. There are many fungal diseases. The good news is that it does not appear to be oak wilt or bacterial leaf scorch, two serious diseases. The bad news is that it does not appear to be a common infection as usually depicted in oak disease articles. See linked articles: PennState Extension, https://extension.psu.edu/oak-diseases ; University of Georgia Extension (including a disease identificationkey), https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1286&title=Key%20to%20Diseases%20of%20Oaks%20in%20the%20Landscape; and University of Illinois Extension, https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/plant-clinic-report-oak.pdf. includes management suggestions) A Clemson Cooperative Extension article includes fungicide suggestions, https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/oak-diseases-insect-pests/.
My impression, despite not finding identical symptoms, was a form of leaf spot or anthracnose. There are often many variants.
Texas A&M Extension has an article on Tubakia (Actinopelte) Leaf Spot plant disease handbook and a specific article with management suggestions: https://plantdiseasehandbook.tamu.edu/landscaping/trees/oak/ (click on the tubakia leaf spot picture for an image with many small spots such as you have) and https://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/plantclinic/files/2013/11/102-Tubakialeafspot.pdf. The Handbook also notes Spot Anthracnose. University of Maryland Extension has an article on anthracnose of shade trees: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/anthracnose-diseases-shade-trees.
With this information and direct observation of your tree, you may be better able to identify the specific disease. The management of most fungal problems are in common.
General actions to be taken to prevent and limit fungal infections include good sanitation practices: collect dispose fallen leaves and any branches elsewhere, do not compost them or let them lie; if you water, water near the ground and water early in the day so the water dries quickly off the plant; by spacing and not planting too closely, allow for better air circulation.
Please be aware that fungicides do not kill existing fungal infections. Instead, they deter or slow the spread of fungal infections. Therefore, for greatest effectiveness, they must be applied early, before the fungal infection manifests itself. Importantly, always follow label instructions for all pesticides, including confirming the use of the pesticide on the specific problem and for application and cleanup instructions.
Thank you for your question.
Thank you for the pictures, but even with them it is hard to identify the problem. There are many fungal diseases. The good news is that it does not appear to be oak wilt or bacterial leaf scorch, two serious diseases. The bad news is that it does not appear to be a common infection as usually depicted in oak disease articles. See linked articles: PennState Extension, https://extension.psu.edu/oak-diseases ; University of Georgia Extension (including a disease identificationkey), https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1286&title=Key%20to%20Diseases%20of%20Oaks%20in%20the%20Landscape; and University of Illinois Extension, https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/plant-clinic-report-oak.pdf. includes management suggestions) A Clemson Cooperative Extension article includes fungicide suggestions, https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/oak-diseases-insect-pests/.
My impression, despite not finding identical symptoms, was a form of leaf spot or anthracnose. There are often many variants.
Texas A&M Extension has an article on Tubakia (Actinopelte) Leaf Spot plant disease handbook and a specific article with management suggestions: https://plantdiseasehandbook.tamu.edu/landscaping/trees/oak/ (click on the tubakia leaf spot picture for an image with many small spots such as you have) and https://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/plantclinic/files/2013/11/102-Tubakialeafspot.pdf. The Handbook also notes Spot Anthracnose. University of Maryland Extension has an article on anthracnose of shade trees: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/anthracnose-diseases-shade-trees.
With this information and direct observation of your tree, you may be better able to identify the specific disease. The management of most fungal problems are in common.
General actions to be taken to prevent and limit fungal infections include good sanitation practices: collect dispose fallen leaves and any branches elsewhere, do not compost them or let them lie; if you water, water near the ground and water early in the day so the water dries quickly off the plant; by spacing and not planting too closely, allow for better air circulation.
Please be aware that fungicides do not kill existing fungal infections. Instead, they deter or slow the spread of fungal infections. Therefore, for greatest effectiveness, they must be applied early, before the fungal infection manifests itself. Importantly, always follow label instructions for all pesticides, including confirming the use of the pesticide on the specific problem and for application and cleanup instructions.
Thank you for your question.
I can’t thank you enough for all the information! I will review the articles take some notes and proceed with caution! Thank you so much
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