Hi,

I have a large, established Red Oak in the back yard (along with lots of Live Oaks). A couple of weeks ago a lot of the leaves started turning brown and dying.

One photo is attached below, and I've posted a small number of other photos that show the detail of what's happening here: http://picasaweb.google.com/110181772155578844823/Tree
(Click on individual photos to magnify them.)

Any diagnosis or recommendations?

Recent activity:
1) Dead wood (quite a few lower branches) were pruned in late April. Wounds were sprayed. The company that did the work says they sterilize their equipment, etc. (That's why I chose them!)

2) In early April I cleared the mulch under the tree, spread a layer of compost, tilled it into the soil by hand, put fertilizer stakes around the perimeter, and reapplied a layer of mulch.

Location: Austin, TX

Thanks!
Michael

I have no idea. I hope it's not oak wilt. What are your typical irrigation habits? Have they changed? One that large should be relatively immune from heat problems.