Water Oaks Dying Quickly

texczech · Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Weimar,TEXAS

For the last 3 years or so I have had several larger water oak trees get sickly looking and then just die in 4-5 weeks or so! I now have several of them starting to do this now! First a few leaves go brown or get yellow, under the tree there is a noticeable number of leaves on the ground and then it's dead. Has anyone had any experience with this happening or can anyone tell me what to to or who to get in touch with? I live in central Texas - Colorado County- the county agent doesn't really know what is happening. Thank You.

e Craig · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:01 pm Post subject:

Welcome.
A few questions:

How much "larger"? Standard measure for larger trees is DBH - (Diameter Breast High - 4.5 ft. above the ground), for smaller/newer trees is Caliper - dimeter just above ground.

Are there any natural gas lines in the root areas of the dead/dying trees? A leak will take out a tree quickly. Your gas company will check for leaks.

Has there been any grading or filling in the root areas?

Could weed killers have been applied nearby?

Have you checked the base of the trunk? "Sticky Tree Flares" above may be helpful. If you find/suspect this type of trouble, you might also check
http://www1.br.cc.va.us/murray/Arboriculture/TreeCare101/below/root_collar_exam/default.htm

Have you checked the old topics in this "Trees" forum for other discussions? One that might be helpful is
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7841

Good luck, keep us posted.
Take care.
Craig

Tree Dude · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 262 Location: Saginaw,TX

I believe it is because they are water oaks. Water oaks likes East Texas/Houston area. Very rarely do they do well alklaine soils. Even in DFW is too "west" for them. Though i have seen some in FW that grows beautifully, but others have not.

Shumard oaks are the best of the red oak group that do well for central TX.
Other oaks that do well are live oaks, bur oaks, post oaks, blackjack oaks.

Tree Dude

texczech · Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Weimar,TEXAS

[quote="e Craig"]Welcome.
A few questions:

The tree in question is 10 inches at DBH... The others that have already dies were probably 24 inches DBG. The root flare looks good... there have been no chemicals applied, no construction & no gas leaks... Oak Wilt comes up as a concern, but there is no veining in the leaves, like I have seen in Oak Wilt descriptions. I have lived in this spot for 15 years, and the trees were already here & not transplanted.

texczech · Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Weimar,TEXAS

[quote="e Craig"]Welcome.
A few questions:

The tree in question is 10 inches at DBH... The others that have already dies were probably 24 inches DBG. The root flare looks good... there have been no chemicals applied, no construction & no gas leaks... Oak Wilt comes up as a concern, but there is no veining in the leaves, like I have seen in Oak Wilt descriptions. I have lived in this spot for 15 years, and the trees were already here & not transplanted.

e Craig · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:36 am Post subject:

Wow!

Has the county agent or someone ruled out chemicals, by symptoms or tests? Some of those chemicals can last a long time, only to be activated by changes in the surroundings.

Also, they can travel great distances. I had an instance where the poison appeared to have gone deep before spreading. Grasses and shrubs were not affected, but trees were.

Just brainstorming.

Take care.
Craig