my name is bruce, i live in the upstate of south carolina..i have several oak trees in this 1 year old house in my front yard, the oak tree closest to the road has been dead since i moved in,now ive noticed that the next closest tree to the road is starting to die also.heres a pic -> http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/lig/c/a/captcool/tree.jpg
i sure would pay some 1 to fix this problem for me,or direct me how to fix it, also heres a pic of the dying tree's trunk, it has a crack in the trunk with black stuff coming out of it-> http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/lig/c/a/captcool/treetrunk.jpg
ive also noticed that the green mossy type stuff that grows on the trunk is turning white and doest look to good,, im thinking that my oak trees have the crabs er sumthing,, please help!!! bruce in anderson sc.

Reply to post by bruce in sc, on September 09, 2001 at 10:11:34:

Bruce, while it is always difficult and dnagerous to try to diagnose without actually seeing the situation, I think you have given us enough information to guess at the problem. The image youposted shows what appears to be hypoxylon canker of the bark. This fungus disease is common on oaks that are declining. The question is, why is it declining?

You said the house is 1 year old. My guess is that the root system was severely damaged during construction. Any soil cut or fill near the tree, or even just operating equipment in the vicinity, damages and disrupts the soil. Compaction, crushing and tearing of roots, piling soil over the original grade, all disrupt the root systtem. Air and wter no longer reach the roots in adequate measure. Roots may have been physically injured or even torn from the tree. The result is the same as trying to run a marathon on one leg, with one lung. You ain't gonna make it.

I doubt the trees will pull through at this point. Find a good local arborist to check them out for you, but don't put much faith in fertilizing them- it's not a cure-all for this problem. check local ordinances and your sales contract on the house to see if there is requirement to protect the trees, or any suggestion that they will be preserved or "saved". (But don't hold your breath!)

The American Society of Consulting Arborists can recommend highly qualified arborists and consultants in your area. Their web site and database is at

http://www.asca-consultants.org

or contact the main office at

American Society of Consulting Arborists
15245 Shady Grove Road
Suite 130
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 947-0483

The International Society of Arboriculture maintains a current list of ISA Certified Arborists. The searchable list can be accessed at the ISA Web site, at:
http://www.isa-arbor.com

Reply to post by Russ Carlson, on September 09, 2001 at 10:11:34:

im gonna try a fungicide by using my pressure washer and bucket truck to apply it,,i have nothing to lose in this damaged tree area

Reply to post by bruce in sc, on September 09, 2001 at 23:41:26:

Applying a fungicide will not help at all. Fungicides don't usually kill a fungus, but may in some cases slow or prevent their growth into new tissues. If your trees do have Hypoxylon canker or similar bark disease, they are there because of extensive damage and stress to the rest of the tree. The fungus infection is secondary. If you can't fix the primary cause of decline, you lose. You may feel you have "nothing to lose," but there is an expense for the material, and it then may contaminate the environment unnecessarily.

If the root system has been severely damaged, fertilizer won't help either. What you need to do, IF the trees have any chance at all, is to try restoring the soil conditions near the tree to allow whatever roots remain to survive.

The problem is that the decline has obviously been fairly rapid. This means the chances of survival are not very good.

Whatever you do, keep in mind that the soil is the key for any plants on the site. If you end up having to replace these trees, remember to fix the soil in the area first.

I wish you luck. Once again, find a good local arborist to help you decide the best course of action.