Mexican White Oak

mudslinger

Hello From Texas,

This tree is about two years old. I accidentally hit it using a weed eater awhile back, the damage looked like a few scratches so I decided to put a plastic guard around the base of the trunk. A few days ago I pulled the guard back and saw this. Is the tree done? I was using pine straw as mulch, which must have exasperated the problem.

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rootstoshoots

that tree looks to be planted too deep also, you need to check it for girdled root, this is what it looks like to me

Eric Frei

Mudslinger,

That's decay setting in, more than whipper snipper problems here just like rootstoshoots says.

Here's another thread, different tree but similar scene.

It will help you.

Unhealthy melaleuca leucadendra (broad leaf paperbark)

__________________

TreeSpecialist

The Mexican white oak (AKA Monterrey live oak - Quercus polymorpha)
is susceptible to a variety of problems.

Planted too deep? Quite possible. Without seeing more of the tree, it would appear to have a little case Phytophthora - a water borne mold (formerly called a fungus.) This problem is exacerbated by too much water.

Back off on the water and see if it doesn't get better. Remove the excess soil if it's planted too deep. A mulch of a finished compost (2- 3 inches deep) helps "heal" the soil and will help the tree overcome the problem without the intervention of chemicals.

Keep the grass at least 2 to 3 feet from the trunk as grass impedes the establishment of new roots.

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mudslinger

Thanks everyone.

The pine straw has been cleared and the tree was probably being over watered as I will dump a five gallon container around the trunk's base at least once a week in winter and every two to three days in summer (rain permitting).

I will try and post some more pictures this weekend but the tree's not looking good.