English Oak in distress

Question: Hello: Our 15 year old English Oak is showing signs of distress--dead branches and leaves turning brown and falling off. See pictures. I would appreciate suggestions on steps we might take to rehabilitate / save it. Thank you. Eugene Sheehan

responder: Weld County Colorado Master Gardeners Replied July 18, 2024, 7:46 PM EDT
response: Mr. Sheehan,   Before suggesting treatment, we have to make an accurate diagnosis. So I have questions for you, rather than the quick answer you were hoping for.  Would you please send more photos showing the base of the tree, the tree trunk, a panoramic shot of its general surroundings and anything else you feel is significant information?  Would you please tell us more about your water supply and your watering plan? See https://extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Salt-Tolerant-Trees.pdf  When did you notice the symptoms of stress? Any changes in the environment of the tree—perhaps new construction or landscaping? English oak seem to have low adaptability to change: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/protecting-trees-during-construction-7-420/  The sparseness of the upper branches in the photos you sent may indicate winter storm damage die-off.  Please remember that it’s always appropriate at any time to prune off dead, dying or diseased branches. You may want to call a certified arborist if you feel there is a safety issue.  We look forward to seeing your photos, Mr. Sheehan.  Sue, Weld County Colorado Master Gardener

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 19, 2024, 5:30 PM EDT
response: Hello again Sue:   As promised some more pics.   I should add that I have not seen any insects on the tree, nor have squirrels been chewing on the bark—until last year it was a huge producer of acorns.    Thanks again,    Eugene   From: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Date: Friday, July 19, 2024 at 3:23 PM To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  Sue:   Thank you very much for the reply.  I have attached a few pics and will send a second email with more as these exceed the space limits    I have answered your questions below—in the body of your email.    Thank you.   Eugene   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 5:48 PM To: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  [ EXTERNAL EMAIL ]

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 19, 2024, 5:30 PM EDT
response: Sue:   Thank you very much for the reply.  I have attached a few pics and will send a second email with more as these exceed the space limits    I have answered your questions below—in the body of your email.    Thank you.   Eugene   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 5:48 PM To: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  [ EXTERNAL EMAIL ]

responder: Weld County Colorado Master Gardeners Replied July 21, 2024, 6:47 PM EDT
response: I could not see your replies. In case, Mr. Sheehan, you are considering hiring an arborist, here are some helpful guidelines for you. https://jeffcogardener.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-cut-above-rest-choosing-arborist-by.html and https://isarmc.org/Choosing_a_Qualified_Arborist   Sue, Weld County Colorado Master Gardener

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 21, 2024, 8:48 PM EDT
response: Sue—I just sent my reply again. I had sent it on Friday.   Eugene   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Date: Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 4:48 PM To: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  [ EXTERNAL EMAIL ]

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 21, 2024, 8:48 PM EDT
response: Hello Sue:   I am trying again with my pictures and answers to your questions. See below.   Eugene     From: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Date: Friday, July 19, 2024 at 3:23 PM To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  Sue:   Thank you very much for the reply.  I have attached a few pics and will send a second email with more as these exceed the space limits    I have answered your questions below—in the body of your email.    Thank you.   Eugene   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 5:48 PM To: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  [ EXTERNAL EMAIL ]

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 21, 2024, 9:12 PM EDT
response: Sue:   Here’s the rest of the pics I sent last week.   Eugene   From: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Date: Friday, July 19, 2024 at 3:28 PM To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  Hello again Sue:   As promised some more pics.   I should add that I have not seen any insects on the tree, nor have squirrels been chewing on the bark—until last year it was a huge producer of acorns.    Thanks again,    Eugene   From: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Date: Friday, July 19, 2024 at 3:23 PM To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  Sue:   Thank you very much for the reply.  I have attached a few pics and will send a second email with more as these exceed the space limits    I have answered your questions below—in the body of your email.    Thank you.   Eugene   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 5:48 PM To: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  [ EXTERNAL EMAIL ]

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 23, 2024, 12:39 PM EDT
response: Hello Sue:   After I added the pictures you requested I wonder if you have any thoughts on steps I can take to assist my oak tree?   Thanks,   Eugene   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Date: Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 4:48 PM To: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  [ EXTERNAL EMAIL ]

responder: Weld County Colorado Master Gardeners Replied July 24, 2024, 1:00 PM EDT
response: Hi Eugene,  Thank you for sending the photos.  I can see those just fine.  But I also can't see your responses to the questions Sue asked and that would help immensely in diagnosis.     Can you reply back to this email without adding the answers to the original email Sue sent you?  Just copy and past your responses into a completely new reply email?  Due to the system CSU Extension utilizes, these aren't emails to us.  They are messages within a messaging system.  I think that's why we can't see them.  Thank you and sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.  Sara

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 24, 2024, 5:20 PM EDT
response: Hello Sara:   Thanks for the follow up.  Here are my answers to the questions. Would you please tell us more about your water supply and your watering plan?  Answer: While we cut back on sprinkler water time, I have been running a hose around the drip line once a week. When did you notice the symptoms of stress? Any changes in the environment of the tree—perhaps new construction or landscaping? English oak seem to have low adaptability to change: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/protecting-trees-during-construction-7-420/ Answer: In 2022 we did major landscaping across our front and backyards. We replaced lots of grass with mainly low water perennials from the Garden-In-A-Box. The grass under the oak was removed and replaced with weed barrier and mulch. We also added some large rocks. Instead of watering grass we cut back on the water around the oak, and some other trees. The first symptoms began last summer (2023) with some leaf die-off, especially around the top. We had a tree company remove the ”dead” (I assumed they were dead) branches. The die off has continued into this year. Unfortunately the landscapers did not think to tell us that these changes might damage even a relatively mature tree. ☹And of course, I never thought to ask. In short there’s been substantial change around the tree. Our question now is whether there is anything we can do to protect the tree as is?   Thanks again,   Eugene   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM To: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  [ EXTERNAL EMAIL ]

responder: Weld County Colorado Master Gardeners Replied July 26, 2024, 12:28 PM EDT
response: Hi, Eugene,  Thank you so much for sending your responses in that new format.    Based on your answers, I suspect that the issue is a change in watering.  Trees need so much water and, typically, when a lawn is being watered around them, there is enough for the tree.  It's usually the lawn that suffers, if there isn't enough.  The tree usually wins out.  Additionally, English Oak is a tree that has medium water requirements.  In our dry climate, that can mean a need for a lot of water, especially this very dry year.    The stress on the tree will take some time to show up as well, so the timeline of your landscaping and the symptoms of the tree line up.  Since your landscaping around the tree now requires less water, I suspect that your tree isn't getting enough.  Watering with a hose once a week probably is not enough.  Here are some great resources for watering an established tree:  https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/657.pdf https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/ https://csfs.colostate.edu/2022/02/28/water-trees-in-winter-during-drought-conditions/  I recommend reviewing the resources above to see how you need to change your watering routine.    Hope this helps.  Please let us know if you have any further questions!  Sara

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 26, 2024, 5:37 PM EDT
response: Sara:   Thank you very much. I will amend how we water and hope for the best.   Eugene   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Date: Friday, July 26, 2024 at 10:29 AM To: Sheehan, Eugene <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: English Oak in distress (#0147642)  [ EXTERNAL EMAIL ]