Multifaceted
Firewood Hoarder, Axe Enthusiast
Trying to figure out what is killing my red oaks, have had several standing dead since we bought our property, but I've never seen any signs of a problem on a living one until recently. I noticed some troubling signs on a large black oak that is just north of a dead northern red oak, as within the drip edge. The northern red showed no signs of being ill that I recall, it just didn't sprout any leaves last spring and has since stood barren. This black oak has been dropping its leaves recently here and there, not unusual, but they've been floppy and flimsy. Today I looked up into the canopy and noticed that all of the leaves look that way. I took out my binoculars to get a good loop above and see some yellowing of the leaves.... which leads me to believe that it's oak blight or wilt fungus.
Here is what I was seeing above, these are the best photos I could get using my smartphone and binoculars:
The bark doesn't show any signs of any odd or dark patchiness on the black oak and seems healthy from below:
Unlike the bark of the northern red oak just in front of it that is already dead:
We have about 2.5 acres, mostly wooded. I know there isn't much that can be done, but if it isn't the blight, then perhaps it can be treated? We're already suffering huge losses with the ash trees, it just sucks to see this happen to my red oaks. White oak and burr oaks seem to be doing OK. We also have many hickory trees and the black cherry thrives here... almost to a point that it's weedy.. Any advice or guidance is appreciated!
Here is what I was seeing above, these are the best photos I could get using my smartphone and binoculars:
The bark doesn't show any signs of any odd or dark patchiness on the black oak and seems healthy from below:
Unlike the bark of the northern red oak just in front of it that is already dead:
We have about 2.5 acres, mostly wooded. I know there isn't much that can be done, but if it isn't the blight, then perhaps it can be treated? We're already suffering huge losses with the ash trees, it just sucks to see this happen to my red oaks. White oak and burr oaks seem to be doing OK. We also have many hickory trees and the black cherry thrives here... almost to a point that it's weedy.. Any advice or guidance is appreciated!