Oak Tree Care, Disease Diagnosis, Treatment & More

oak treeA noble American tree, oak trees are found in many landscapes and communities, adorning us with their stature and shade. There are nearly 400 different species of oaks, both deciduous and evergreen. Some of the most common species found in the Northeast include the Red Oak, White Oak and Black Oak. Depending on the species, oak trees can have gray, scaly bark or black furrowed bark. Leaves are typically green and can be serrated or rounded, turning red in the fall. The yellowish-brown flower of the oak tree is produced in the spring and is called a catkin. Acorns are the fruit housing the seed which is enjoyed by squirrels and other wildlife.

What Conditions Are Best To Grow Oak Trees?

  • Oaks are durable trees which prefer rich, well-drained soil and have a long life span if given the proper care and room to grow.

How Large Do Oak Trees Grow?

  • Oak trees range can grow from 60-70 feet tall and generate a Crown Spread of between 40-50 feet

Oak Tree Care and Service

LeavesWatering, pruning and using oak tree fertilizer on a regular basis will help keep oak trees healthy and better able to tolerate stress, insect and disease conditions or other tree problems.

Newly planted oak trees benefit from ArborKelp®, SavATree’s exclusive seaweed biostimulant fertilizer which aids in tree establishment, promotes root growth and heightens stress tolerance.

Mature and established trees benefit from oak tree fertilizer feedings of organic-based macro and micronutrients for the nutrition necessary to sustain their health.

If you’d like to establish oak trees in your landscape, we have access to consulting arborists that can help you select, purchase and plant new oak trees. For a complimentary consultation with a certified arborist to discuss the oak tree varieties that would work best in your landscape contact the location nearest you.

Oak Tree Pruning

woman treeLateral, wide spreading branches give oak trees their strength and broad crown. A young oak tree should be pruned to develop a strong central leader.  Mature and developing trees should be pruned to remove dead or broken branches. Tree pruning helps promote healthy growth and structural integrity.

Your SavATree certified arborist is equipped with the latest techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to keep your oak trees healthy, beautiful and safe. Contact us today for information on tree pruning or any of our other oak tree care services.

Common Oak Tree Problems

The most common Oak Tree pests, diseases & symptoms include:

Insects:

  • Galls
  • Scales
  • Aphids
  • Borers
  • Caterpillars
  • Lace bugs
  • Leaf miners
  • Twig pruner

Oak Tree Diseases:

  • Anthracnose
  • Bur Oak Blight
  • Oak Wilt
  • Powdery mildew
  • Root rot
  • Canker disease
  • Fungus
  • Bacterial Leaf Scorch
  • Leaf blister

Symptoms of Oak Tree Diseases & Pests:

Oak Tree Disease

  • Discolored or spotted foliage
  • Dead or dying foliage or branches
  • Thinning canopy
  • Shelf mushrooms
  • Wet patches on trunk
  • White coating

Many of these insect and disease conditions can weaken the tree and lead to tree death if not treated. If you suspect a problem with your trees, call a SavATree certified arborist right away for an evaluation and treatment options. Our oak tree care experts can help protect your trees and keep your landscape beautiful.

Diseased photo: Shelf-Mushroom by Joseph-O’Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Other Common Tree Varieties in the US