Native Plants

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Monday - May 11, 2009

From: New Braunfels, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Problems with red oak in New Braunfels TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

One of my red oaks still doesn't have all its flowers. The main bark has some dark stuff oozing out and one of the branches has a fine powdery substance on it. HELP!!!!

ANSWER:

There are several oaks that are referred to by the common name "red oak." Since you are in central Texas, we are betting that what you have is Quercus buckleyi (Buckley oak). All of the red oaks are very susceptible to Oak Wilt, and first symptoms usually show up in the Spring. Since we are not plant pathologists and wouldn't even try to diagnose at a distance, we want to first refer you to this USDA Forest Service article How to Identify, Prevent and Control Oak Wilt. Another possibility is discussed in the Texas A&M article on East Texas Gardening Hypoxylon Canker in Oaks. The white substance on the branch is probably powdery mildew .