Red Oak Leaves Turning Brown - Ask Extension
The leaves on our 8ft Red Oak tree are turning brown over the whole tree. (see picture) We've researched but results are confusing. Over watering? Un...
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Red Oak Leaves Turning Brown #811124
Asked September 16, 2022, 6:52 PM EDT
The leaves on our 8ft Red Oak tree are turning brown over the whole tree. (see picture) We've researched but results are confusing. Over watering? Under watering? Root rot? What do you think?
Fort Bend County Texas
Expert Response
Hello Andrew,
What you are seeing is leaf scorch. The question is, is this traditional leaf scorch caused by cultural factors or is this Bacterial Leaf Scorch (BLS)?
BLS starts slowly in midsummer with leaf edges turning brown. By this time of year, the edges will look mostly like the photo you attached, or the leaves will be entirely brown. Usually, the leaves will hold on to the branch and not fall.
One tell-tale sign is the thin yellow area between the green and brown parts of the leaf. I will attach a few links that will help you with a diagnosis and give you advise on what to do.
There is no cure for BLS and trees usually die within 3-5 years. However, stressed trees die sooner while using good cultural methods can help extend the tree's life. Most importantly, you should consider calling in an arborist to help with injections.
You can find a Certified Arborist with this link,
Texas Arborist | ISA Texas | ISA Texas Chapter
Bacterial Leaf Scorch (tamu.edu)
Bacterial Leaf Scorch on Oaks | Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab (tamu.edu)
What you are seeing is leaf scorch. The question is, is this traditional leaf scorch caused by cultural factors or is this Bacterial Leaf Scorch (BLS)?
BLS starts slowly in midsummer with leaf edges turning brown. By this time of year, the edges will look mostly like the photo you attached, or the leaves will be entirely brown. Usually, the leaves will hold on to the branch and not fall.
One tell-tale sign is the thin yellow area between the green and brown parts of the leaf. I will attach a few links that will help you with a diagnosis and give you advise on what to do.
There is no cure for BLS and trees usually die within 3-5 years. However, stressed trees die sooner while using good cultural methods can help extend the tree's life. Most importantly, you should consider calling in an arborist to help with injections.
You can find a Certified Arborist with this link,
Texas Arborist | ISA Texas | ISA Texas Chapter
Bacterial Leaf Scorch (tamu.edu)
Bacterial Leaf Scorch on Oaks | Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab (tamu.edu)
