oak decline or sudden oak death

[Fubar]

i live in the southern Appalachia , i have Googled this but its apparent that several thing's can kill oaks, i am no expert , just a few years ago the top of the mountain where i cut wood was covered up with very large mature oaks , i always only cut the blow downs or standing dead , now you don't have to look hard cause what isn't laying on the ground dead is standing dead , now you can see the skyline and it looks like a ground zero of some sorts , this seemed to happen very quick , this is very concerning to me , what is it ?

 

[ch woodchuck]

Sudden oak death(P ramorum) has not been found east of the calif. coast ranges.and parts of oregon. Find an experienced arborist.

 

[ATH]

Or a forester...