Trees are one of your greatest landscape assets. A healthy tree will increase your
property value and make your yard a more pleasant place to be. Watching the health
of your trees is well worth the time. However, don’t assume that your native or well-adapted trees need to be rescued from
every little insect and dry spell. Most good tree care is prevention of problems. Live oak trees with oak wilt often
exhibit this distinctive leaf appearance.
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Oak Wilt
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What: Oak wilt is the most serious tree disease affecting our area. It can kill valuable trees quickly. It is carried by beetles that are attracted to sap from fresh pruning cuts on trees. It also spreads through joined root systems of trees.
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Live oak trees with oak wilt often exhibit this distinctive leaf appearance.
Consult a tree expert if you see leaves like this.
(Photo Texas Forest Service)
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Threat: High for live oaks and oaks in the Red Oak family.
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Prevention: Always paint pruning cuts and other wounds to oak trees within thirty minutes. Any type of paint that covers the wound will
work. For more information on oak wilt, go to http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/forest.
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Regrading Slope Around Trees
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What: Adding soil around trees harms the long-term health of the tree.
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Threat: High for long-term survival of tree.
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Prevention: Avoid making changes in the slope around your trees. Adding soil is as bad as taking it away. Keep soil and mulch away from
the base of the trunk especially.
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Compaction of Roots
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What: When soil is pressed down during construction or other activities, air spaces are eliminated from soil. This harms the long-term health of the tree.
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Threat: High for long-term survival of tree.
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Prevention: Avoid making changes in the slope around your trees. Adding soil is as bad as taking it away. Keep soil and mulch away from
the base of the trunk especially.
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Ball Moss
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What: Ball moss is a harmless Bromeliad that grows in very shady canopies of trees.
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Threat: NONE
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Prevention: Ball moss thrives in dense shade and on rough bark. Appropriate and professional
trimming of trees can bring in more light which reduces ball moss. Cutting ball moss from tree limbs can lead to wounds that encourage oak wilt. If you find ball moss unsightly, it can be killed with Kocide® or
a mixture of baking soda in water. Seek current advice for treatment of ball moss with the Texas Forest Service.
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