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Oak Tree- possible trunk disease - Help

12 years ago

I was hoping to get some advice based on some problems my oak tree is experiencing. I just moved into this house 7 months ago and the previous owners had the base of the tree mulched probably 10-12 inches up the base of the trunk. I knew from my college days in Botany class that this could damage the tree so i removed the mulch around the trunk. While I was doing this, I noticed some damaged areas around the trunk, primarily on one side. Any recommended course of action would be appreciated. Instead of trying to describe the problem in more detail, I've attempted to post some photos at the following link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15614453@N05/7245956800/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15614453@N05/7245955296/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15614453@N05/7245961120/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15614453@N05/7245958248/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15614453@N05/7245955296/

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Comments (6)

jean001a
12 years ago
Here's one of your images.

Was the damaged bark covered with the mulch?

Whatever the answer, that part is permanently damaged. The tree can survive in a reasonable condition if the damage is less than half the circumference. But please don't remove bark to check.

Here is a link that might be useful: base of trunk
0
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
Any recommended course of action would be appreciated.

==>>> ignore it.. trees heal themselves ...

if the bark opens itself.. and it will.. as part of the process .... i might carefully start removing it ... but i would NOT go digging in there ...

you did right.. now leave it be

ken
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I have to admit that the bark struck me as being a bit cork-like when I saw the tree, but it was the extent of the new growth that got my attention and concern. I have read in the newspaper that Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum) and several of the associated beetles that particularly gravitate towards afflicted oaks are moving into the area. Since we have numerous oaks that are hundreds and hundreds of years old (that are quite precious to me as local landmarks), it's easy to imagine that the growth might be a sign that this specimen needs to be removed to save other trees, but our parks infrastructure is sufficiently beleaguered, between the drought and other budget drains that I don't want to bother them with inexpert guesses. I would truly appreciate it if anyone who has seen anything similar that turned out to have been benign could reassure me -- but if the opposite is the case, I'd appreciate that confirmation too!
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mackel_in_dfw
12 years ago
The root flare is still, almost completely buried and if you expose it, healing will vastly accelerate if that's in the cards. In some soils, you can have that much buried, but clearly in your soil, you caint.

Mackel
0
jqpublic
12 years ago
Is that a Nuttall Oak? That neighborhood looks full of them!
0
Craig
Original Author
12 years ago
I'm not sure of the type of Oak. The builders planted these along the roadway before the houses were built. It's probably a 5 year old tree.

The damaged area of the trunk spans about 18-24 inches vertically, and maybe the bottom 4-5 inches was covered with mulch until i removed it. And the damaged area is restricted to less than half of the circumference (maybe 120-140 degrees).

When i removed the mulch originally, i removed as much as i could before i started hitting 1/2" diameter roots that had started growing into the mulch pile, so i stopped.

Would spraying any part of it with pruning spray be beneficial? or just continue to leave it alone as Ken suggested above. I did notice some green beetles crawling up and down the damaged area last summer.
0
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
i dont think anyone here believes in spraying anything on trees ...

but for one theory of a fungicide type mix.. of which i dont recall ...

my basic premise.. is they cover 50% of the earth.. and do just fine.. until some guy dreams up painting them ... and i call that.. loving them to death .. and voodoo marketing ...

leave them alone.. put down the spray.. and step away ...

ken
0

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