Oak Tree - Fungus on Bark of Trunk???

[Schila]

We have several Oak Trees in our backyard and one of them is showing signs of fungus probably? on the bark of the trunk. Can you take a look at the pictures and tell me if this is a fungus or what could be going on with this Oak Tree?

Thanks,

[digitalgate]

it probably is, there is nothing you can do except infect it with some good fungus. Trying to spray fungicides is too much work. Trees in general have good resistance against fungus. Even it is infected with verticillium wilt (you have to look at the top branches to tell) there is very little else you can do except cut the affected branch away.

[katrina]

Did you peel the bark away or was it like that?

Trees often get algae and/or mossy/green types of growths...there's not really much you can do about it. The good news is I've never experienced an event where it hurt the tree. I have 2 very healthy and strong Maple trees that are literally covered in a green type growth from the base up to the first crotch. They are healthy as healthy can be.

What would concern me is the bark loss. It kind of looks like mechanical damage and/or damage being done by an animal. As long as it doesn't get any worse, the tree will recover and heal. If it gets worse, too much bark loss can turn into something more serious. Namely borer issues and/or carpenter ants...to mention a couple.

I should ask...what kind of oak is it?

[Filb]

To me it looks like the beginning stages of rot. It almost looks to me like it may have been initiated with fire damage. Do you know what type of oak it is?

Also it would be helpful to get a photo of the entire tree to see whether the crown is suffering any dieback.
There is a serious disease of oaks called oak wilt (a buddy of mine is working on it) and one of the telltale symptoms is half dead leaves (http://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/sul15.pdf).

[dounoharm]

any time there is bark loss and damage to the cambian layer under the bark, you will have sufficient damage to kill the tree.....you must protect the cambian layer with a good tree paint to seal out further damage....chip off any loose bark before you start, and paint the exposed surface of the trunk. you might save your tree, or maybe the damage is too much....sorry to see a nice tree in danger.....gl

[Filb]

Originally Posted by dounoharm

any time there is bark loss and damage to the cambian layer under the bark, you will have sufficient damage to kill the tree.....you must protect the cambian layer with a good tree paint to seal out further damage....chip off any loose bark before you start, and paint the exposed surface of the trunk. you might save your tree, or maybe the damage is too much....sorry to see a nice tree in danger.....gl

This is outdated information. Give this a read: http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda%2...d%20sealer.pdf
The use of wound paint actually encourages further infection by increasing moisture around the wound (among other reasons stated in that note). Tree health issues are not treated the same way as humans.
The best option you have if it is just a wound is to let the tree compartmentalize it and hope for the best.

However it is best to wait for a proper diagnosis before moving on to any other treatments such as a fungicide.

[Schila]

Thanks to all of you for you comment. It's sad to see that this tree that has taken a couple of years to grow this big, will not make it.

Originally Posted by katrina

Did you peel the bark away or was it like that?

No, in reality I'm posting this for my husband. I'm more into orchids and houseplants. But I did take the pictures and peeled a little bit of the bark.
I have seen a cat from the neighboor peeing around this tree. Could this be part of the problem?

Originally Posted by filb

may have been initiated with fire damage. Do you know what type of oak it is?

Fire damage? No, I'm pretty sure is not fire. Like I said before, all I've seen close to it is a neighboors cat peeing around it. I don't even know what type of oak is it.

Originally Posted by filb

best to wait for a proper diagnosis before moving on to any other treatments such as a fungicide.

How do you get a diagnosis on a tree? Do you take a piece somewhere to get it tested?

[Filb]

Schilla,
If you google arborists in your area that would be a good place to start. Maybe even calling them on the phone and describing the situation might help.
They could recommend that you take a piece of the plant into a nearby plant pathology testing center if they can't diagnose it there.

From the photos (even though it is hard to tell) it looks like a shingle oak.

[digitalgate]

Ahh the cat is the culprit ! Then nothing to worry about.

[mujacko2002]

Mabuhay!

Maybe its just growing in size. There are trees that looks like its rotting when its shedding its skin or bark.

[katrina]

I wouldn't be so quick to think the tree won't make it. There's really nothing there that's giving me that indication. Plus, trees are very, very strong and capable of coming back from all sorts of nasty things.

Admittedly, diagnosis of most things is hard, if not impossible, via a picture alone. Filb's recommendation is a good one...calling in an arborist is your best bet for a definitive ID of the situation.

And, don't peel anymore bark.

[lmartiny]

Gosh, I was going to take a stab and guess a bug. But I'm not familiar with oaks in Texas. Are you in the area that is suffering from the drought? Maybe this is having an effect on it.

[Schila]

Originally Posted by lmartiny

. Are you in the area that is suffering from the drought? Maybe this is having an effect on it.

YES YES and YES, even though we had some rain this past weekend and we were just so happy.