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Oak trees in Ames #879966

Asked August 02, 2024, 6:07 PM EDT

I live in a wooded neighborhood in south Ames (Timberland Road). Is something killing the large oak trees this summer? On my street, I have noticed one large old oak tree with no leaves plus two other large oaks with many bare branches at the top of the trees. On the neighboring Woodview Drive, I see another large old oak tree with no leaves and another one recently cut down that had many dead branches. Our neighborhood has many large old oak trees. I have two in my yard that appear to be alright. I am wondering if the oak trees are getting a disease or if they are just getting to the end of their life span. I have lived here for 15 years and this is the first time seeing large old oak trees die around here. Thank you. Harvey Terpstra

Story County Iowa

Expert Response

Hi Harvey,
Thanks for your question. I'm not certain on what may be going on with the Oaks in your neighborhood. Diseases can affect different types of oaks differently. Here are a few resources on common disease in oaks, mainly Oak Wilt, and information about testing.

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-can-i-determine-if-my-oak-tree-has-oak-wilt

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/pidc/vascular-wilts-testing

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/files/inline-files/na-pr-01-11_0.pdf

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/article/2021/08/oak-wilt-or-bot-twig-canker

Answer Line answer@iastate.edu Iowa 800-262-3804 and Minnesota 800-854-1678 Replied August 05, 2024, 12:05 PM EDT

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