Ailing Oak Tree - help with diagnosis ?

jshiggs

Hi -- and Thanks in Advance for offering some advice to a concerned, but ignorant tree enthusiast.

This big oak is the centerpiece of my yard. It's in an awkward spot on a terraced hillside -- just above where a wall drops 3-4 feet to the next level.

A few years ago, it seemed to be fading -- not fully leafed-out, and several big limbs needed pruning. I think there had been root trauma when the utility company did some digging. Anyway, I gave it fertilizer and rhizomes from treehelp, and crossed my fingers.

It seemed to be recovering -- but now it seems to be fading again. Many twigs have buds, but a couple of big limbs don't. There is a LOT of moss and lichen growing all over.

Can anyone help with a likely diagnosis ? Can anyone suggest steps I might take to help nurse it back to health /

In addition to the still photos, I posted a 90 second video to youtube, which gives a better overview.

THANK YOU for taking the time to look this over and offer advice !!

-- Scott

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derwoodii

I'm not so troubled by the lichen nor the moss on your tree. Rarely do these symbiotic relationships cause grief to the host or are indicators of greater concerns, it seems to be in good enough structure form, kinda hard to tell much more without full leaf canopy.

If the tree has been stressed in the past be mindful of Oak wilt disease read here for further.
http://www.pittsburghparks.org/userdocs/oakwilt.pdf

Oak wilt hits Highland, Riverview parks - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Eric Frei

I wouldn't be calling moss or lichen on trees symbiotic.

Excessive of either can cause problems, many oaks down New Orleans way often get spanish moss removed from them, people advertise demossing services.

The usual issues of weight, canopy smothering of leaves, moisture pockets etc still stands true.

I have seen heavy infestations of lichen pretty much totally smother trees and stunt them for good, parts do die.

Is there any mushrooms or fungal fruiting bodies on the tree?

You could do a mycorrhizal treatment to the root area, maybe a Cambistat application in preference to Alamo, and the usual good cultural practices of organic soil improvement and mulching.

You can do all of those things now.

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AustinTreeService

Here in Texas Oaks get root fungus and they need deep root fumigating to save them