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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Roses > Plant Diseases > Oak tree damage
Expert: Dr Stephen Vann - 10/26/2009
Question
QUESTION: I live in the panhandle of FL and have a young pin oak whose leaves are looking awful. They have brown spots up to 1/2" long that appear raised on the backside of the leaf and then holes appear where the spots were. The leaf edges are ragged and some appear chewed. Can you help me with this?
ANSWER: Annette:
Can you send along a closeup photo of one or two leaves with the raised areas/spots? I have an idea, but wanted to be sure. Be sure to review your photo on your computer first- to be sure it is in focus before sending. If the tree is well established in the landscape, this condition may not greatly affect the overall health of the tree.
Regards
Steve
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Steve, I have tried to send the picture, Hope you get it. Annette
Answer
Annette:
Congratulations! It came through in flying colors. This is a very common fungus disease that attacks many types of oak trees. It is called Oak Leaf Blister. Use "Google Images" on your computer and search for pictures of this disease. It often occurs following frequent rainfall periods usually in the spring. Here, it is primarily a cosmetic disease- that is, it rarely becomes important to cause an important impact on the overall health of the tree. It's primary effect is earlier than normal leaf drop. The fungus causes "depressions" in the leaf that are initially green then change to brown.
On your computer, go to this link for a short article that may help you.
http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-7535.pdf
You will need a free very small program called Adobe Reader to open/print the article. You can find it easily on the web using "Google".
This is a very nice article, if I do say so myself (ha-ha). As you can see in the article, raking up and destroying the fallen leaves BEFORE spring arrives is very useful, since the fungus spends the winter on the fallen leaves.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Nice visiting with you!
Steve
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