Black Spots on Oak Tree - I Need Help Please

cormanman · 25th April 2009, 03:28 PM

??????: cormanman's Photostream - link to pictures of the tree.

What is wrong with my tree? It has not sprouted leaves this season. It looks dead. There are black spots all over it and the bark is starting to crack and come off of the bottom of the trunk. Those are black spots on it and not bore holes.

I have owned the home for three years. The first year it looked dead. No leaves, but no spots either. I fertilized and watered it and the second year it looked much better. It still was not great, but a significant improvement. Then last year we had a serious drought throughout the summer and on into the winter. I thought I was watering, but apparently not enough. This year all of my other trees are coming back and looking great, except for this one that looks dead. There are no leaves whatsoever. There are no buds. It looks like a bare tree with black spots.

Is it too late to save it? I am not at all knowledgeable or experienced with trees. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Eric Frei · 25th April 2009, 04:02 PM

Hypoxylon canker

Therrin · 25th April 2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Relatively healthy trees are not invaded by the fungus, but the hypoxylon fungus will readily infect the sapwood of a tree that has been damaged, stressed, or weakened. Natural and man-caused factors that can weaken a tree include defoliation by insects or leaf fungi, saturated soil, fill dirt, soil compaction, excavation in the root zone of the tree, removal of top soil under the tree, disease, herbicide injury, drought, heat, nutrient deficiencies, competition or overcrowding, and other factors.

Quote:

As the fungus develops, small sections of bark will slough from the trunk and branches and collect at the base of the tree.

Quote:

Hypoxylon canker activity usually increases when prolonged drought occurs. When drought stresses trees, the fungus is able to take advantage of these weakened trees. The moisture content of living wood in live, healthy trees is typically 120% - 160%. It is difficult for hypoxylon canker to develop in wood that has a normal moisture content. However, any of the factors listed above could weaken or stress trees causing the moisture content of the wood to reach levels low enough for the hypoxylon fungus to develop. When this happens, the fungus becomes active in the tree and invades and decays the sapwood causing the tree to die. Once hypoxylon actively infects a tree, the tree will likely die.

Sounds like a removal is needed Cormanman, sadly enough.

(Quoted phrases were gleaned from Texas Forest Service , who holds ownership of said material)

cormanman · 26th April 2009, 07:19 AM

Thank you all very much. I was thinking that was the case but I didn't want to do it without some outside input.

I greatly appreciate you taking the time to comment.

I'll have to find a new tree to put in and take better care of it.

25th April 2009, 03:28 PM	#1
cormanman I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Leander, TX Posts: 2	Black Spots on Oak Tree - I Need Help Please ??????: cormanman's Photostream - link to pictures of the tree. What is wrong with my tree? It has not sprouted leaves this season. It looks dead. There are black spots all over it and the bark is starting to crack and come off of the bottom of the trunk. Those are black spots on it and not bore holes. I have owned the home for three years. The first year it looked dead. No leaves, but no spots either. I fertilized and watered it and the second year it looked much better. It still was not great, but a significant improvement. Then last year we had a serious drought throughout the summer and on into the winter. I thought I was watering, but apparently not enough. This year all of my other trees are coming back and looking great, except for this one that looks dead. There are no leaves whatsoever. There are no buds. It looks like a bare tree with black spots. Is it too late to save it? I am not at all knowledgeable or experienced with trees. Any help is greatly appreciated. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Eric Frei; 25th April 2009 at 04:08 PM. Reason: uploaded pic and embedded

25th April 2009, 04:02 PM	#2
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,990	Re: Black Spots on Oak Tree - I Need Help Please Hypoxylon canker __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

26th April 2009, 07:19 AM	#4
cormanman I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Leander, TX Posts: 2	Re: Black Spots on Oak Tree - I Need Help Please Thank you all very much. I was thinking that was the case but I didn't want to do it without some outside input. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to comment. I'll have to find a new tree to put in and take better care of it.

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