Saving a Burr Oak - Ask Extension
I have several burr oaks in our rural yard. They have been slowly dying off over the past 30 yrs. Can I save/prolong this ~100 yr old tree.
What sh...
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Saving a Burr Oak #930529
Asked May 04, 2026, 10:47 AM EDT
I have several burr oaks in our rural yard. They have been slowly dying off over the past 30 yrs. Can I save/prolong this ~100 yr old tree.
What should my next steps be to determine if/how to this tree can be saved?
Washington County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
I would need a picture to hazard a guess.
Oak Wilt is uppermost in many land owners' minds and you should be vigilant about it.
At the same time, there are a number of other ailments that can affect oaks in the spring, most notably a relatively harmless, but alarming looking, seasonal affliction known as Anthracnose:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/environment/trees-woodlands/oak-wilt-or-anthracnose/
If the symptoms and photos in this link do not reassure you I strongly encourage you to contact a certified arborist who will come out to your land and assess these trees - first hand.
http://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/2009/01/finding-tree-care-help-certified-arborists-and-mn-tree-care-advisors/
I would need a picture to hazard a guess.
Oak Wilt is uppermost in many land owners' minds and you should be vigilant about it.
At the same time, there are a number of other ailments that can affect oaks in the spring, most notably a relatively harmless, but alarming looking, seasonal affliction known as Anthracnose:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/environment/trees-woodlands/oak-wilt-or-anthracnose/
If the symptoms and photos in this link do not reassure you I strongly encourage you to contact a certified arborist who will come out to your land and assess these trees - first hand.
http://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/2009/01/finding-tree-care-help-certified-arborists-and-mn-tree-care-advisors/
