So here is my situation, I have an oak tree next to shop/extra garage that had leaves a month ago and looked pretty darn alive and healthy. Now as you can see in the pictures, it started dropping all of its leaves, still some dead ones on the branches. So my question is, should I assume this tree is dead or do I give in until next spring to see what happens? If it wasn’t so close to my garage/ house I wouldn’t care as much but now it’s making me pretty nervous and it’s well beyond my skill set to take down...probably need a bucket truck or a climber. Thank you! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If it was "healthy" looking that short time ago I'd guess Oak Wilt, but that tree would likely stand for a good bit even if dead. Oak is good solid wood normally. I'd wait till spring & see. If it's wilt you stand less chance of spreading it during winter by cutting the tree. It spreads through the roots too though. I would suggest consulting an Arborist to be certain. Good news is it will dry standing to an extent. Bad news if it's wilt you may lose more.
Thank you very much! Oak wilt was my initial thought but I have zero experience with it, I guess I was using a wishful think approach and hoping it wasn’t a possibility. Consulting an arborist is a great idea, one that I will do immediately. I would hate to lose others. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
An oak surely should not be dropping it's leaves yet. Something bad is happening, so I would agree that if you can get a professional out to look at it, that would be best. Good luck with your trees.
They can stand for years after they've died. Dropping branches for you to pick up every time it rains and the punky branch wood gets heavy laden with water or the wind blows them down, until there is nothing but a trunk. Dropping leaves out of season and sync with its brethren is a sure sign of its demise.
I think I would take that tree down either way. It will only grow towards available light which is the direction it's leaning now by being crowded out by the other trees. The remaining trees will benefit from the extra room available and be stronger and healthier. It will stand for some time so no need to rush. I think with a come along and some cable you could fell that tree right between the two furthest trees in the picture. Of course a bucket truck or a climber would be better if you don't feel comfortable attempting it.
If you are like me, there is not a town arborist. However, the university extensions service is also a good resource. Good luck.
amateur cutter is right on. If it is oak wilt then you don't want to cut it until after the growing season. Usually anytime between November and April is okay. But sadly it can also spread via the root system so getting an arborist to look is a good idea. And yes, dead oak will usually stand for many years without worry of falling. Still, if it is in your yard and by buildings...
Thanks for they help fellas! Arborist was just here, he’s as certain as he can be that it is oak wilt, without doing the test. Looks like I will have the dead one taken down and then just play the waiting game for the others to go. All of the trees are in very close proximity so more than likely they share a root structure. He said I could inject them and trench but I would basically be throwing money away. There is roughly 12 trees in total, the largest being 4’ in diameter. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sorry to hear that about your trees. It seems like every tree species has something aimed at their demise. It's frustrating.
Thanks, the only silver lining is that there is decent money in them and a local saw mill willing to take them....but at the end of the day I would rather have the trees. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Bummer, kinda sorry to be "right" about that one. Are they all the same Oak. Wilt hits the Reds I think. Take a good long look & think before you just let the mill off the whole batch.
Haha, no problem...someone had to be the bearer of bad news. They are all whites, which is typically more resistant to oak wilt. My plan is to take them down as they die off, at least enjoy them as long as I can. Who knows maybe I will get lucky. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Watch out Mark..... you’ll get ol’ Jack Straw ’s attention saying things like that.... Hate to hear about your trees, but they will make fine firewood.
This is from the MI DNR. Symptoms most often appear from June until September. "Affected trees will suddenly begin to wilt from the top down, rapidly dropping leaves, which can be green, brown or a combination of both colors," Wheeler said. Oak wilt is spread above ground mainly by sap-feeding beetles that carry the disease spores from an infected tree, or wood cut from an infected tree, to fresh wounds, including pruning cuts, on healthy trees. The infection also spreads below ground, through root grafts among neighboring trees. The highest risk of infection occurs April 15-July 15, but it is prudent to avoid pruning or injuring oak trees until they have lost leaves for the winter, typically from November through mid-March, Wheeler said. If you must prune or remove oaks during the risk period, or have a tree that gets damaged, immediately cover wounds with tree-wound paint or latex-based paint.
