Hi, I am hoping someone might help me identify the cause of a large area of decay or rot just above soil level on a mature white oak. We bought the house recently, so I don't know much background. The leaf canopy was full and healthy-looking last summer (oh, my, the number of acorns this big thing drops...wow), but the bark does seem to shed/drop rather too readily. The spot shown in the photo is about 5 inches wide and a foot height, and it seems to start right at the soil line. No real insect activity when I poked around, just an opportunistic millipede. Of course, the season could be masking an infestation...
When I prodded the wound, I found very soft, white, brittle wood, almost the texture of a rice cake or something. The rot extended an inch or so into the wood, although I didn't poke around to deeply for fear of doing more damage. Any ideas what's going on? Thanks!
...and any tips to get those pics right side up? I haven't a clue why they loaded that way....
When I prodded the wound, I found very soft, white, brittle wood, almost the texture of a rice cake or something. The rot extended an inch or so into the wood, although I didn't poke around to deeply for fear of doing more damage. Any ideas what's going on? Thanks!
...and any tips to get those pics right side up? I haven't a clue why they loaded that way....