Hundreds of years ago, Missouri used to be 70% forestland as recorded by explorers who came to the region. Between 1880 and 1920, Ozarks pine forests attracted many lumbermen from the eastern part of America, which led to Missouri becoming one of the foremost lumber-producing states in the country.
The state has a long and rich history with timber and forestry, and to date, it is known for its rich, healthy, and thriving trees and forests. You can visit this site: http://www.watersheds.org/ for more details.
Oak trees are one of the most predominant trees in Missouri, and they are often seen as emblems of longevity and strength. Sadly, many homeowners have noticed in recent times that their once healthy and thriving trees are dying off at a distressing rate. For those who are asking why this is so, we are here with answers.
Stay with us as we explore some common problems that oaks have in Missouri and how they can be handled…
Diseases That Affect Oak Trees in Missouri
A tree cannot just die without any cause, and the major cause is usually disease. Below, we show you some of these diseases, how they spread, and how they can be tackled.
Oak Wilt
This is a destructive fungal disease, and it poses a very serious threat to these trees. It is caused by the fungus known as Bretziella fagacearum, which spreads very fast and is usually fatal. This fatality is mostly common with specimens known as the Red Oak Group; these include the northern red, black, and pin oaks.
Symptoms
These include: –
- Curling, browning, and wilting of the leaves, starting from the top to the bottom.
- Leaves drop suddenly in midsummer.
- Sapwood discoloration.
How It Spreads
This disease spreads through spores that are carried by beetles from diseased trees to healthy ones with wounds caused mostly by pruning. It can also be transmitted between two or more trees through root grafts.
Prevention and Management
The following are tips for prevention and management: –
- Do not prune between April and July, as this is when beetles are at the peak of activeness.
- Remove infected trees and dispose of them appropriately to avoid the spread of the infection.
- Split root grafts between close trees with the trenching method.
- If you consider your oak of high value, you may need to consider the use of fungicide injections. You can read this article for tips for homeowners when using fungicides.
Bacterial Leaf Scorch
Bacterial leaf scorch is caused by Xylella fastidiosa, which affects different species of oaks. This disease disturbs the flow of water in the tree, which leads to a gradual decline over time.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this disease include the following: –
- Almost negligible browning of leaves, often leaving the border yellow.
- Premature dropping of leaves.
- Progressive dieback (this means shoots or branches dying from their tips to the trunk) starts from the branches that are farther out.
Spread and Management
This disease is mostly spread by insects, most especially leafhoppers, and there is no known cure yet. However, mulching and watering appropriately can help reduce stress.
You can also prune dead branches for safety and better aesthetics.
Hypoxylon Canker
This is known as an opportunistic fungal infection that affects oaks that are already stressed. This mostly happens after damage from construction or during droughts. The fungus that causes it is known as Hypoxylon atropunctatum.
Symptoms
- Shedding of patches of bark to reveal a black or greyish silver fungal layer beneath.
- Fast dieback of tree canopy
- The tree dies off within a few months of the appearance of symptoms.
Prevention and Management
- Stop stress by watering properly.
- Do not give room for root damage.
- It doesn’t have any cure once you see symptoms; you can only remove the diseased tree to reduce the spread of the infection.
Tips for Protecting Your Oak Trees
Much as homeowners will love to take care of their trees, we advocate seeking professional help. You can seek out experts such as Trufast Tree Service for maintenance/monitoring. However, for those who insist on DIY, the following are some quick tips to help keep your oak tree healthy: –
- Regular Monitoring – Ensure that you check your oaks regularly so that you can catch early symptoms of insect damage, stress, or disease.
- Water During Drought – Make sure you water deeply if there is an extended dry spell to help your trees remain healthy.
- Mulch Properly – Apply at least 2 inches of mulch; it can be up to 4 inches to help the plant retain moisture and control the temperature of the soil. However, keep the mulch away from the base of the trunk.
- Prune Carefully – Unless you have to remove infected or dead branches/limbs, prune only dormancy, which is late fall or winter.
- Consult an Arborist – Just as we have mentioned earlier, it is safer to consult a professional, especially if you notice symptoms.
Conclusion
If you are one of those asking why your oak tree is dying, we hope this article has provided practical answers and solutions. We strongly recommend regular and careful monitoring for early detection. However, this does not negate the need to consult an arborist; in fact, early detection enables fast action to prevent the death of your tree(s).