What is going on with our beloved Oak trees? Some Oak trees dying or in decline, what is the reason and are there solutions?
A lot of water is essential for mature large Oak trees. Many different species of Oaks are native to our Northern Virginia and DC metropolitan area. As I walked through a nature trail in the City of Fairfax woods, I couldn’t help but to notice many Oak trees dying, or in significant decline. Why is this? A quick and easy answer is drought. Large mature Oaks need hundreds of gallons of water each and everyday to maintain their health and vitality. In the past few years and more, we have seen multiple July’s and August’s where we have seen barely any rainfall. Sometimes, it can take years for a once healthy mature Oak to see the signs and symptoms of the drought affects on the tree. Other times, it can happen pretty fast.
Thankfully, with the most recent weather conditions and afternoon storms due to the heat, we have been getting quite a bit of rain showers. This can drastically help Oak trees, especially large mature Oaks. In general, trees like deep infrequent soakings, however, the recent down pours can only help!
What can we do to help this situation?
- Water, water, water! That’s right, you can help your Oak trees by watering them. Even the largest Oak tree can be watered during a drought spell. Just put the hose on multiple parts of the root zone, and let it slowly drip water for about 10-15 minutes per location as much as possible. 3 days per week is a good suggestion and depending on how much rainfall or lack there of we have had.
- Detect symptoms early. If a tree looks like it is in decline, the best thing you can do is to detect it early. Have an arborist assess the tree that appears to be having some issues. There are treatments and suggestions arborists can provide to help save the tree if diagnosed quickly. So many times its too late
- Know what to look for such as tip dieback, fungus or mushrooms on the trunk or root system in the yard, borer hole activity, changes in bark appearance, etc
- Perform soil tests and make sure soil compaction is at a minimum. Keeping things off the critical root zone such as logs, stacked wood, debris, objects, etc. Roots need oxygen to survive and our native soil is clay so already prone to compaction. Construction damage such as new strucks, driveways, paths, any root damage can disturb root health. Remember, most issues are unseen and beneath the ground.
If you can identify any of these symptoms quickly enough to get an arborist on the phone, call immediately and we can try to help save your tree. It is a good practice to have a certified arborist assess your trees annually. We provide free estimates and evaluations here at JL Tree Service Inc. Get a Free Evaluation from one of our certified arborists now!
Here are some common symptoms to look out for on Oak trees:
Tip dieback – one of the most common issues for a tree in decline.
Mushroom growing on decayed wood. You can also observe borer holes present.
Decay present on trunk of large dying Oak.
Completely dead Oak in woods – This is a photo of a completely dead Oak tree. Notice how there are no leaves at all, the bark is gone on most of the limb wood and some gone on the trunk. If this was close to someone’s house, it would be a imminent threat.
Large Red Oak with Hypoxylon Canker – If you’re Oak tree has these shiny grey spots on the trunk or limb bark, that is a big problem. Its called Hypoxylon Canker and a large Oak that already has this fungi will likely be gone relatively quickly.
Large dead Oak – This tree died a while ago. When the trunk looks like this, its past the time to get it removed since it may become unsafe to climb. You don’t want to wait that long to have a dead Oak tree removed, it will cost more since the level of difficulty increases, especially with trees in close proximity to houses or people.
2 Large Mature Oaks, 1 healthy, 1 in decline
Healthy Oak tree examples – What to look for in a healthy Oak
- Live Full Canopy with vibrant leaves – some minor deadwood is completely normal for mature Oaks
- No apparent issues with the bark on trunk or limbs – no borer holes or fungi present
- Good soil conditions, avoid soil compaction
- Good soil drainage, but ground flat enough to maintain good water and nutrient uptake
- Good root flare or taper, not much lean and no issues at the trunk base such as mounding, cracks, or holes
Mature Red Oak
Mature White Oak
Willow Oak Tree (Quercus phellos)
White Oak Tree (Quercus alba)
Chestnut Oak Tree (Quercus prinus)
Red Oak Tree (Quercus rubra)
There are over 20 different species of Oak trees found in Northern Virginia, each with its own unique characteristics and adaptations to the local environment. These trees can be broadly categorized into two main families: white oaks and red oaks. While both are iconic and valuable components of the region’s ecosystem, the red oaks have been facing increasing challenges in recent years due to environmental stressors. Issues such as Red Oak root wilt have become more prevalent, posing a threat to the overall health and longevity of these majestic trees. As a result, it is crucial for homeowners with mature Red Oaks in close proximity to their properties to prioritize regular assessments by certified arborists. This proactive approach can help ensure that these trees remain healthy and structurally sound, thereby minimizing the risks associated with their presence. In fact, it is generally advisable for any sizable and mature oak tree to undergo annual inspections by arborists accredited by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), as this can contribute to the early detection and management of potential issues, ultimately promoting the well-being and safety of these valuable natural assets.
Learn more about Oak decline and Sudden Oak Death.
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