What is wrong with our Oak Tree?
by
Lynn Franger
+7
What is wrong with our Oak Tree? It has some dead branches, and I want it to be healthy. Any suggestions on what to do to help it? I know we should cut off the bottom branches. What else? Note: we live in Illinois, and I was told this tree is a White Swamp Oak.
6 answers
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do you see any sawdust at the base of the tree? that would be a sign of a insect infestation. Or Have you been in a drought? ISwamp Oaks as the name implies like the swamp or wetlands and love acidic soil. They will develop a disease called chlorosis if the PH is too alkaline such as in rocky soil or even in urban areas where there is a lot of concrete and asphalt. I would google Chlorosis and see if this looks like it because from the picture you live in the city and I see lots of concrete.
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Jun 06, 2014
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Did your tree look like this last year? Maybe not as bad, but showing signs of branches dying off. The soil around the bottom of the tree, did you put it there or has it been there for quite some time? Sometimes if you pile soil up too high around the base of a tree you can actually smother it. Oak trees tend to push their roots up above the ground so they can have better access to water and if you cover them up with too much soil, mulch or other material around the base it can and will kill them. Also, check to see if the roots have wrapped around the base of the tree....like a noose. It's called Girdled Root and it will actually choke the tree to death. The roots grow around the base and choke off the water and nutrients and that too will kill the tree. It's usually at ground level, so you wouldn't have to dig, but you would have to remove the soil from around the base of the tree. You can google Girdled Root and see pictures of what it looks like and how to cut the root or roots to allow the sap to flow again to support the life of the tree. Also, do not ever use Round Up or similar herbicides around the base of your trees to kill grasses and weeds...it WILL kill your tree too. It may take a little longer to kill it, but it will kill it eventually.
Debbie Gates
on Jun 06, 2014
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Have you recently applied a weed and feed to the yard or sprayed herbicides? Also it looks like you have the mulch/dirt high up on the trunk, if you could pull that back you may notice some soft bark that could be intefering with nutrient up take. If all else fails you could call a certified arborist to evaluate the tree but be prepared to pay a fee
Leona G
on Jun 07, 2014
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Here in Michigan we have Oak Wilt . It is killing off a lot of our Oak tress. You may want to check it out. Here is what it says about it...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_wilt Here is an article from Michigan State. No oak tree is immune to it..https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/IC4166-C_256344_7.pdf
Karan Cox
on Jun 07, 2014
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We have about 37 White Oak Trees on our five acres. I've discovered that they don't live forever. If this was my tree and I valued it, I would consult an arborist. They are very knowledgable and know whether the tree is dying or not and whether to fertilize or not. We paid an arborist $100.00 for an hours consultation but it was well worth it. Google arborist.
White Oak Studio Designs
on Jun 07, 2014
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Here in the swamp, swamp oaks often have branches die off, also often have dead wood in the center of the trunk, once it becomes too hollow they are dangerous. Not considered a desirable tree. But what we call a swamp oak doesn't really look like yours....
Shirley Midgett
on Jun 10, 2015
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