What Is Sudden Oak Death?

This is a disease that can totally change the ecology of an area if left unchecked. It is caused by a specific type of water mold called Phytophthora ramorum. Knowing the symptoms of this dangerous disease and what to do when you find it is important to help stop the spread. There are various oak trees that can be affected by this disease including: Southern red oak, Bigleaf and planetree maple, Horse Chestnut, and Bay Laurel to name a few.

Facts To Know

There are several things you should know about this disease and what it can do. They include:

Symptoms – The most prominent sign that first appears happens with the leaves of the trees. They appear to be scorched in areas that look like a bullseye. The leaves may also shrivel or curl up. You may also notice sunken or swollen areas on the bark or branches of the tree itself.

Spreading – While scientists believe it was brought to the U.S. from ornamental plants, there are several different ways it can spread here. If the fungus is on a plant, it can spread by transplanting those plants to other areas. Wind-blown rain can also cause the disease to spread. It can also come from water or soil that is infected. Using tools or even your hands being used from one infected tree to another non-infected tree can cause the disease to transfer.

Must remove trees – If you do have this type of disease on the property, it is vital that you work with an experienced tree removal service like ours to get the infection cleared off your property. These trees must be completely removed to help prevent the further spread of Sudden Oak Death to the other vegetation on your land.