Oak Tree - What do you think???

[Drummer]

I'm not an arborist or a tree care pro.
I'm a property owner in sonoma co. and have lost numerous trees to SOD, mostly tan oak but also coast live oak. My trees were tested through a program the state had a couple of years ago, where they paid for the removal of any confirmed SOD trees through a hazard reduction program. They removed 7 of my trees that were within striking distance of property, roadways etc.
The term sudden in SOD is not an exaggeration and is the reason for this post. The most recent live oak to succumb at my place had the entire conopy turn yellow/brown what nearly seemed to be overnight, though was more like a week or so. This tree was about 30"BDH, a real beauty. It was about 6 weeks before I got around to dropping it, and nearly half the trunk had turned to mush. The tree left the stump sooner than I expected and didn't land where intended. The drop zone was wide open, so no problem.
Your tree however, has lots of unwanted targets.
Anyway, long story, but the jist is: get it tested and if it is SOD try the AgriFos treatment mention by others and in the link below and hope for the best. However, if the canopy goes brown, don't wait too long before removing the tree.

http://nature.berkeley.edu/garbelotto/english/treatment.php

 

[Canyonbc]

Thanks Drummer

Sorry to here, that you lost so many Oaks on your property they are beautiful...one of the main reasons i came to Sonoma County...to go to school (Sonoma State)...its sad to see so many go.

Best of luck with the rest of them.

 

[Canyonbc]

Hello

Wanted to give an update on the oak tree i posted...(Tom) the client...got in contact with the county of Napa...and they tested it...

According to Napa County...the tree has been attacked by a "boring beetle"

 

[treeseer]

taking an exudate/bark/root sample to his local county ag pathology lab to confirm SOD presence in the tree, then making a scientifically based decision on removal of the tree.

Removal based on lab findings is not a foregone conclusion here is it? I've sent samples of phytophthora to state and university labs and gotten inconclusive results. The science there is not always so hard.

Data derived from direct observation can also be useful. You were going to send a picture of the base of the tree. ? And the boring beetle--did the lab guy fall asleep while looking at it, or what? Insect activity is a sign of decline, probably due to the damage and neglect of the root system.

 

[Canyonbc]

I havent gotten back out there to get the picture of the base...its over an hour drive from my house to is place...

and i have been crazy busy with work and school

Can anyone elaborate on this beetle...and what it does...???

 

[Canyonbc]

'did the lab guy fall asleep while looking at it, or what? Insect activity is a sign of decline, probably due to the damage and neglect of the root system."

When you say decline...will the beetle or can the beetle kill a tree this size?

 

[treeseer]

'did the lab guy fall asleep while looking at it, or what?' This is a joke ha ha because saying "a boring beetle" is not saying much at all. What kind? How many? Where in the tree? are what matters.

Insect activity is a sign of decline, probably due to the damage and neglect of the root system." Hello, this means the root damage came first, so asking about unnamed secondary effects will not get the answers you need.

Find the flare. Check the earth. The idea that deck chemicals harmed the tree is valid; I've seen a few killed that way.

 

[Canyonbc]

Well hopefully in the next week or so i will be able to go back out there and i will take some pictures.

Thanks for all this knowledge...

When i go back out there to take pictures should there being certain things i should focus in on...beside the root system..??