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What should you do if your oak trees are dying?

By Wayne Hobbs Environmental Horticulture Agent, Clay County
Posted 6/26/19

CLAY COUNTY – “Why are my oak trees dying?” is a very common question around our extension office the past couple of weeks, and unfortunately the answer is not a simple one.

From what I have …

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What should you do if your oak trees are dying?


Posted

CLAY COUNTY – “Why are my oak trees dying?” is a very common question around our extension office the past couple of weeks, and unfortunately the answer is not a simple one.

From what I have seen we are not looking at a new insect or major disease, like the “Sudden Oak Death” found in other parts of the country. In fact, it is most likely a combination of one or more issues that can cause a quick downturn for what looked like healthy trees.

Really hot, very dry

So far this has been a dry year in our region along with some record breaking heat. This is not a good combination for any plants and can lead to sudden decline in tree health. As trees are pushing new growth in the spring and are hit with high temperatures, they often are losing more water than they can take in and the trees can die as a result. Additionally, with less water, you will have less food production within the tree. This is likely a potential cause for the die off of oaks we are seeing around the county.

It can be a shame to lose a tree that provides shade and beauty but there is not much you can do if the environment doesn’t allow it to thrive.

Root damage

While having a reputation as a tough, durable tree, Live Oaks can be permanently damaged or killed by disturbing their roots. Be very careful to dig and disturb the root zone of the tree, which often extends out as far as its. New construction around Live Oaks can sometimes lead to death but it is a slow process, often being the last tree to die after disturbance. Vehicle traffic over the root zone should also be avoided.

Another hazard to Live Oak Roots can come from chemical use in the lawn, as MSM has been shown to affect and possibly kill the trees if applied to the root zone.

Root rot

Several root diseases are active in our soils, with Gamoderma and Armillaria the most common. These fungi decay wood and can enter the trees through root wounds. These fungi are everywhere and can be causing damage for a long time before you ever see any sign on the adult tree. You will just see a slow decline until the tree becomes a hazard and there are no solutions to save the tree.

With both diseases you may see mushrooms growing around the yard or on the base of the tree.

Flooding

Another major stressor of trees in our area over the past few years is flooding. If trees are under standing water or in saturated soil conditions for too long (usually more than a day) decline can occur and root damage can allow diseases to flourish. This damage can take several years to manifest so a past storm may have helped kill your tree.

What to Do?

If you have a tree that is declining or dead, contact an arborist to provide a consultation. A list of local arborists can be found at www.treesaregood.org. Suggestions may be corrective pruning, removal of dead or damaged wood, or removal. Try to have any tree work done soon so you do not have to worry about that sick looking branch creating a hazard during storms.

Have any horticultural questions? Contact the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Office in Clay County. We are online at http://clay.ifas.ufl.edu and can be reached by phone at (904)284-6355.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. USDA, UF/IFAS Extension, FAMU and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.