Knowledgebase
Two issues with Oak and Peach trees #874629
Asked June 25, 2024, 12:43 PM EDT
We have a variety of an Oak tree in our front yard that is experiencing some sort of disease. I have attached photos which may help. I have tried to find similar pictures but have not found any. It appears to be similar to the effects of wilt or scorch, but they do not appear to turn the leaves a white tone. I also do not see any raised blisters on the affected leaves so do not think it is related to oak blister. Please let me know what it may be and how I can help the tree. We would hate to lose it and hope there is something which can be done to assist with its' health.
The second issue is our peach tree in the back yard which appears to have possibly died. The tree was looking good in the early spring with normal healthy looking buds and branches growing. Then as spring neared summer, I noticed several of the branches appeared to be dying and the buds never sprouted. However, the other parts of the tree seem to be thriving and producing ample small peaches. Now that summer just hit, the once thriving branches and peaches have also seem to have died as the budding peaches are now wilted and all the trees leaves are falling off. Our neighbor, who's peach trees are within 20 yards of ours, are flourishing and seem green and vibrant. I am stumped as to what may have caused this and have attached a photo of that as well.
Thank you in advance for any assistance with this as I am very tree ignorant.
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
Sorry, here are the pictures in a .jpg extension.
I can offer some possibilities and some more information for you to consider.
Browning of oak leaves is often caused by environmental stressors rather than diseases, especially in Colorado. Here are links to more information about environmental factors that could be causing leaf scorch:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/leaf-scorch-2-911/
https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_orn/list-treeshrubs/leaf-scorch
https://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/fact-sheet/oak-leaf-scorch/
Consider whether environmental stressors may have affected your tree, such as:
Lack of sufficient water during periods of heat and drought or during Denver's dry winters. Denver just had the hottest June on record and almost no rain for a month.
Frequent, shallow watering that causes the soil surface to become compacted.
Girdling roots around the trunk.
Construction or digging that has affected the root system.
Trunk injuries. Here is a link to general information about leaf scorch on oak trees:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/leaf-scorch-or-oak-wilt-what-s-plaguing-my-tree
As for the peach, you could look at the base of the tree for signs of a peach tree borer. Your description of a rapid decline make me suspect something like that. Trees can be killed by this pest if there are many larvae feeding for several consecutive years. As trees decline from the borer's injury to their vascular system, foliage becomes pale green then yellowish and wilted.
I had a peach tree that declined rapidly due to a borer. It could be consistent with your neighbor's tree remaining healthy. My neighbor still has his peach tree while mine died. Here is a link to more information about peach tree problems such as borers:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/peach-tree-borer-5-566/
Thank you for your inquiry and best of luck with your trees.
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/trees-shrubs-vines/1766-oak-anthracnose/
