Knowledgebase

sick burr oak #811609

Asked September 20, 2022, 7:56 PM EDT

Who can I get to help me find out if my burr oak has oak wilt. I Called out an arborist and he said It had leaf wilt. Said he would have to spray it and fertalize in fall and spring for multiple years. Everything I read about spraying an oak suggests spraying in the spring. He also said that the crape Myrtle that is near the oak has it too because it and the oak share the same root area. Could not find anything out about leaf wilt on the internet. He said that something was not allowing moisture to get to the leaves. The Burr leaves are wilted and look silvery from a distance and is losing bark. The crape myrtle is also losing bark and leaves are turning yellow and falling off

Fort Bend County Texas

Expert Response

This is a 35 year old Burr Oak  I have had 3 0r 4 large fires burning brush and cane near this tree and i think it senged the leaves going up one side  of the tree but I do not think that it could have caused all of this wilting.  We have been in a drought situation  and I had not been watering it very much  but when I recognized that it looked wilted I bought a soaker hose and watered it for 48 hours twice every 8 to 10 days.  I even watered it until there was standing water but it continues to look wilted.  Someone I talked to said that oak wilt had not reached our area.  I do not know what to do about it can you please help

The Question Asker Replied September 21, 2022, 1:02 PM EDT

here are some more pics of my 35 year old wilting burr oak

The Question Asker Replied September 21, 2022, 1:06 PM EDT
From the attached images I would say the tree is showing signs of leaf scorch which are probably a result of the dry conditions we had this summer. 

It also looks like there are some holes in the bark of the trunk. it could be shadows, can't tell from the image. 

I usually recommend having the tree evaluated by a certified arborist. I know you said it was evaluated but look at this website and see if they are listed as being certified. If not, find a certified arborist and get a second opinion. https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch

Thanks for the question.
Paul Winski Replied September 21, 2022, 2:00 PM EDT

Loading ...