Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Monday - May 14, 2012

From: Stillwater, OK
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: Oak bark problems from Stillwater OK
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

In my clients large oak tree there is bark stripped from the limbs in small pieces. No piece is larger than 1 inch by 1 inch and occurs on limbs high in the canopy. It does not look like squirrel doings and has a small fungus attached to the bottom of bark. I also noticed an influx of beetles with greenish metalflake tint.

ANSWER:

You didn't say what oak your client has; some oaks are more susceptible to certain diseases than others. Our first thought when a diseased tree is brought to our attention is Oak Wilt, which is more predominant in red oaks, live oaks, than in others, like white oaks.

Here are some websites you need to look at:

Texas Oak Wilt.org Oak Wilt Spread - includes pictures of the nitidulid beetles, which transmit the disease

Diseases in Oklahoma Oak Trees

TexasOakWilt.org - Home page, links to more articles about disease

Video of Oak Wilt

Images of Oak Wilt and Sudden Oak Death

Frankly, this is really something that should be looked at by a licensed arborist. If it is Oak Wilt, there is no cure, but the tree should be taken down in order to protect other oaks in the vicinity. Please note in the articles the precautions that should be taken when cutting down or pruning an oak tree.

 

 

More Trees Questions

Planting a tulip poplar in Virginia Beach VA
November 10, 2009 - Hi. I would like to plant a Yellow Poplar, 'Tulip Tree' in my front yard. I will not be able to plant this tree until after November 15th. The tree will receive direct sun and will be exposed to hea...
view the full question and answer

Native evergreen trees with highest value for birds
April 02, 2007 - What native evergreen trees have the highest value for bird seed/fruit (other than Juniperus virginiana)?
view the full question and answer

Need evergreen hedge and groundcover for shade in Carmel, Indiana
September 27, 2010 - Our property is bounded by a fencerow that is wooded and mostly shaded by mulberry and hackberry trees during the growing months. We'd like to create a 5'+ tall evergreen barrier on the property li...
view the full question and answer

Growths on Shumard Red Oak leaves from Katy TX
April 01, 2013 - Our beautiful Shumard Red Oak has developed lots of light green grape like growths on the leaves. Please inform us what this could be and how we should treat it?
view the full question and answer

Japanese maple in New York
August 15, 2008 - I have a few questions: Do you know what zone Brooklyn, NY. is in? If I plant a Japanese Maple in my backyard, do you think it can tolerate almost full shade (1-2 hours of sun per day)? Also, is it...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.