Oak Wilt on Quercus Virginiana?

[TreeLogic]

I have a client who has a 5 acre piece of property with lots of live oaks. A few of those live oaks have died or are in rapid decline. They seem to decline one lead at a time with nothing really visible for evidence, except brown leaves. The root flares look fine. No mechanical damage to the trunks. Nothing out of the ordinary in terms of fungi. No frass or entrance holes.

And these are normally our longest living, strongest tree, around here. Not much bothers them. Extremely dense, hard wood, with few issues other than man.

I will try to get some good pictures next time but I don't think they're going to help much. The weather didn't support photography on my recent visit.

I found this: http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/trees/hgic1014.html
We aren't close to the counties listed. We are on the coast in the natural habitat for Quercus virginiana.

This seems to be spreading to other live oaks nearby. Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[KTSmith]

Oak wilt has been identified on Q. virginiana in South Carolina. I see you have the Clemson publication. If it were me, I'd look over http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_oaklab/toc.htm and http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/921
and if OW seemed like a possibility, I'd send some samples to a disease clinic. Check with Clemson if you are in SC before sending anything in. There might be other places for diagnostic services as well. Don't be put off if you are not in one of the "identified counties", this disease can spread.

 

[TreeLogic]

Thanks KT. The huge Clemson Extension research building is probably 10 miles from this client's property. Any suggestions on procedure of taking samples? Thanks.

 

[KTSmith]

One of those publications for which I provided the links gives a good description on what constitutes a "good sample". Check the Clemson website or phone number if they have specific requirements or preferences and what the costs might be (probably not too much).

 

[TreeLogic]

Good deal, I've reviewed the "field sample" process and I'm making preparations to get samples.

Aside from a buried root flare, soil compaction, or mechanical damage, are there any other issues with Quercus virginiana that could cause the rapid decline I've described? Thanks again for your help.

 

[TreeLogic]

One more thing - I didn't see anything regarding disposal of infected debris. My assumption is burning it onsite (logs and chips) would be the best route if possible. In this case I think it will be possible, but alternate disposal plans would be appreciated if you have them available. I'm sure the extension will have some info on this but I'd like to go in there with some pre-existing knowledge if possible.

 

[KTSmith]

The oak wilt fungus produces spores on pads of mycelium produced to the immediate outside of the killed wood and beneath the dead bark. Consequently, the usual recommendation is de-barking or chipping. Sure, burning on site (given local restrictions) should be fine. I think the party line is that that is not necessary if the material is debarked. Easier said than done, I know. The Clemson or other extension folks will set you straight, I'm sure. There are sometimes differences state-to-state.

And maybe it's not oak wilt! They can tell you that within a pretty short period of time.