Diseases in oaks are not as rare as one might think. Although the tree grows bigger and stronger over the years, small fungal pathogens have an easy time of it. Some diseases can even kill the oak.
Especially weakened oaks are attacked by diseases such as powdery mildew
Most common diseases
The oak can suffer from many diseases, the most common are the following:
- oak firesponge
- oak powdery mildew
- cancer
- bark burn
oak firesponge
It is particularly easy for this fungal pathogen when the tree is already weakened by a wrong location or insufficient care. The fruiting body formed on the trunk also makes its absence visible from the outside. Anyone who tries to detach it will also damage the tree.
Give the infested oak extra nutrients to help it regain strength. This prevents the fungus from spreading any further.
oak powdery mildew
This fungal disease prefers young trees and young oak leaves. Of the most common oak species in this country, the pedunculate oak falls victim to this disease the most.
- Leaves turn whitish
- look like they're covered in powder
- they eventually curl up
- become dry and fall off
Collect fallen leaves and dispose of them with household waste. Strengthen the tree by providing it with good moisture and nutrients.
cancer
Young and old oaks can be equally affected by this fungal disease. Discoloration and growths appear on the trunk.
- cut out affected areas
- down to healthy wood
- Incinerate cut off or dispose of safely
- Treat wounds with balm
Young trees may not have developed enough resilience and will die despite these measures.
bark burn
Bark blight is also a fungal disease that can manifest itself differently depending on the location of the infection:
- on the bark of young shoots are yellow-brown necrosis
- fruiting bodies are formed
- the trunk can also be affected
- then the pathways are also affected
- the supply of the tree no longer runs smoothly
- leaves and shoots above die off