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/

Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied July 15, 2025, 11:23 AM EDT

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This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension grant no. 2020-41595-30123 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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