Oak Tree Diseases and Firewood

[Fried Chicken]

I'm thinking of relocating my firewood storage and chopping area to a spot under two oak trees.
Where I currently store and chop the firewood is convenient for loading and unloading, but not optimal for storage and making a mess from chopping.

I was hell bent on moving everything when it occurred to me that much of my firewood comes from trees that have died from some sort of tree disease (or some beetle?). If I store and chop the firewood under those oak trees, it's conceivable the disease will spread to those trees as well, no?

As such I should probably be careful with how/where I store/chop the firewood, lest I bring diseases to the trees in my yard, no?

 

[pdqdl]

Yes. In fact, it is against the law to transport some dead trees out of your county because because of quarantines imposed by the Federal Government. Ash trees kille by Emerald Ash Borers is but one example.

There are quite a few diseases that kill oak trees, but the most notorious in oak wilt, generally not transmitted by infected firewood, but I don't think you can rule it out. The beetles that transmit the disease are attracted to the sick trees, and subsequently transmit the disease to healthy trees. Keeping the wood covered by plastic sheeting is said to circumvent transmitting disease from unseasoned firewood.
https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/diseases-pests/oak-wilt

There are lots of other diseases that are harbored in firewood, and not just a few insects as well. Gypsy moths, for example, are infamous for their ability to ride to distant parts of the country on a load of firewood. For this reason, many campsites forbid bringing in your own firewood.

 

[Fried Chicken]

This is good to know, so as nice and convenient as it would be, I will not load, unload, and chop the firewood around the oak trees in my backyard.

In fact I'm now slightly hesitant to even put the wood chippings from chopping into the compost that's near those oak trees.

 

[pdqdl]

I think your risk from a well-managed compost pile will be relatively low. At a certain point, the risk from natural infection is considerably greater than an introduced infection. The oak wilt is typically spread from tree to tree through root grafting or by the infected beetles that visit multiple trees. I've not read of any occasions where the infection is spread by soil penetration from compost. Compost is generally considered to be a good thing for trees.

You do realize that most oak tree deaths are not attributable to oak wilt, right?
Avoiding bad habits like trimming your healthy oaks with a chainsaw used recently to dismember an oak-wilt infected tree would be very important. Burning known oak-wilt wood might be another good thing to do. That being said, you shouldn't fear killing off your trees unless you are doing well-known "bad for your tree" activities. For the most part, oak trees are very hardy and disease resistant. Should something bad happen to your trees, just plan on having more firewood and then plant an alternate species.

It's the circle of life. There is no dodging it, but you can avoid risky behavior.

 

[Fried Chicken]

I think your risk from a well-managed compost pile will be relatively low. At a certain point, the risk from natural infection is considerably greater than an introduced infection. The oak wilt is typically spread from tree to tree through root grafting or by the infected beetles that visit multiple trees. I've not read of any occasions where the infection is spread by soil penetration from compost. Compost is generally considered to be a good thing for trees.

You do realize that most oak tree deaths are not attributable to oak wilt, right?

No. I genuinely do not. I don't know what diseases or parasites can/do affect what trees.
I'm asking so I can validate my common sense, but I could well be wrong.

It really would be a lot nicer to store the firewood under the oak trees, but... yeah, often that firewood is firewood for a reason, and I don't want that reason spreading to my nice oak trees.

Avoiding bad habits like trimming your healthy oaks with a chainsaw used recently to dismember an oak-wilt infected tree would be very important. Burning known oak-wilt wood might be another good thing to do. That being said, you shouldn't fear killing off your trees unless you are doing well-known "bad for your tree" activities. For the most part, oak trees are very hardy and disease resistant. Should something bad happen to your trees, just plan on having more firewood and then plant an alternate species.

It's the circle of life. There is no dodging it, but you can avoid risky behavior.

Problem is, I don't even know what the well-known "bad for your tree" activities are.

 

[pdqdl]

That's easy. I'll give you a list.

1. Overwatering (or Poor Drainage)​

Oak trees prefer well-drained soil. Overwatering can lead to root rot and fungal diseases, especially for established oaks.​

2. Excessive Pruning or Topping

Heavy pruning weakens the tree and exposes it to sunscald and pests. Topping (cutting off the main branches indiscriminately) can kill an oak over time.​

3. Pruning During Vulnerable Seasons (what we have been discussing, BTW)

Pruning oaks in spring or early summer can expose them to oak wilt, a deadly fungal disease spread by sap-feeding beetles attracted to fresh wounds. Always prune in late fall or winter when the risk of infection is low.​

4. Applying Excess Mulch

Piling mulch against the trunk (volcano mulching) traps moisture and invites rot, pests, and diseases. Spread mulch in a thin, even layer around the base, avoiding direct contact with the trunk.​

5. Planting Grass Too Close to the Trunk

Just give 'em a nice big circle of mulch. Grass competes for nutrients and water. Frequent mowing near the trunk can lead to damage from lawn equipment, which can allow disease and pests to enter.​

6. Using Chemicals Improperly

Unless otherwise necessary, Oaks don't really need any chemical applications. Herbicides, fertilizers, or other chemicals applied incorrectly can damage or stress oak trees, particularly shallow-rooted species. There are some needed treatments, but you'll get better answers on this forum about your tree's needs than you will from calling the average tree service. They like to sell stuff.​

7. Damaging the Root Zone

Activities like trenching, paving, or installing hardscape features near the base disturb roots. Even compacting the soil by parking vehicles near the tree can harm root health.​

8. Ignoring Signs of Pests or Disease

Common oak pests include oak borers, caterpillars, and scale insects. Diseases like oak wilt and powdery mildew can progress rapidly if untreated. Despite seeming to contradict #7 above, sometimes you may wish to treat a cosmetic problem on your tree, or perhaps engage in some prevention.​

9. Failing to Protect Bark

Striking the trunk with mowers, weed trimmers, or other tools can open the tree to infection or pest damage.​

10. Planting in Poor Locations

Oak trees need room to grow both above and below ground. Planting too close to buildings, driveways, or other trees can result in poor root development or structural issues.​

11. Neglecting Proper Watering for Young Oaks

While mature oaks need little water, young trees require consistent watering to establish deep roots. Allowing them to dry out completely during droughts can stunt growth or kill the tree.​

12. Allowing Vines to Grow on the Tree

Vines like ivy or wisteria can strangle branches, block sunlight, and trap moisture against the bark, leading to decay.​

13. Ignoring Deadwood or Hazardous Branches

Dead branches can fall, posing safety risks. Additionally, they can harbor pests or diseases that may spread to healthy parts of the tree. Oak trees produce LOTS of dead branches. Don't presume your tree is in bad health because you see a few dead limbs. It may take an expert, however, to tell the problems from the normal growth.​

14. Filling Cavities with Cement or Foam

While once a common practice, filling holes in trees often traps moisture and does more harm than good.​

15. Nailing or Bolting into the Tree

Driving nails, screws, or bolts into an oak can introduce disease or weaken its structural integrity.​

16. Overloading Soil with Nutrients

Oaks are adapted to thrive in nutrient-poor soil. Adding excessive fertilizer can encourage weak, excessive growth that attracts pests and diseases.​

17. Burning Debris Near the Tree

Heat from nearby fires can damage the bark, roots, or lower branches, potentially killing the tree.​

18. Ignoring Proper Spacing Between Trees

Crowded trees may compete for light, water, and nutrients, leading to weak, unhealthy growth.​

And that ought to cover it!