Dying Oak trees - Ask Extension
I have lost two oak large oak trees in my yard and a third has dying branches on the top. A neighbors oak tree is doing the same thing.
Knowledgebase
Dying Oak trees #909899
Asked July 15, 2025, 9:40 AM EDT
I have lost two oak large oak trees in my yard and a third has dying branches on the top. A neighbors oak tree is doing the same thing.
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
There are many things that could be causing the oaks to decline and die. Given your location oak wilt, anthracnose, insects such as two-line chestnut borer and others could be causing these deaths.
This first web page lists symptoms.
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/oak/
https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/digital-diagnostics/plant-diseases/oak-decline.html
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/oak-wilt-management-what-are-the-options
Consult an arborist
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
or send some of the leaves that are dying but not yet dead to the Plant Disease Clinic for a fee. https://pdc.umn.edu/
This first web page lists symptoms.
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/oak/
https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/digital-diagnostics/plant-diseases/oak-decline.html
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/oak-wilt-management-what-are-the-options
Consult an arborist
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
or send some of the leaves that are dying but not yet dead to the Plant Disease Clinic for a fee. https://pdc.umn.edu/
