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Oak
Tatters
Oak tatters is a relatively new condition
that affects emerging oak leaves, causing them to appear
lacy or tattered. It has been observed throughout the
Midwestern United States, and into Texas. This disorder
was first reported during the 1980's in Iowa, Indiana
and Ohio, but has been observed only in the last 10
years in Wisconsin and
Minnesota.
Symptoms and
Impact
Oak
tatters affects primarily the white oak group, including
white, bur, and swamp white. The red oak group (such as
red, black, and shingle oaks) is only occasionally
affected. Hackberry and other tree
species may
occasionally show similar symptoms. Newly emerged leaves
of affected trees |
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have reduced
interveinal tissues, which gives leaves a lacy or
tattered appearance. From a distance trees may appear to
be light in color or to lack leaves.
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Damage
from oak tatters appears at the time of leaf emergence,
generally in middle to late May. Within 2 or 3 weeks,
heavily affected trees will produce a new flush of
leaves that may not have tatters. These leaves may be
smaller and lighter in color than normal leaves. The
damage is often evenly distributed throughout the entire
crown, but sometimes may be greater in the lower crown.
It may affect all sizes and ages of scattered individual
trees and whole stands of trees in woodlands or urban
landscapes. Adjacent woodlands and trees may be
unaffected.
Producing a new flush of replacement
leaves reduces important stored energy reserves in
affected trees. Healthy trees can survive this stress,
but repeated damage or damage in combination with other
stress events (such as drought, other defoliation, or
site problems) may make trees more susceptible to
decline, or to other damage agents such as the two-lined
chestnut borer, ultimately resulting in tree
death.
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Other Damage Agents that
it can be confused with
Oak tatters is a
specific condition, but it can be confused with several
damage agents that affect oak leaves:
Oak anthracnose is
a fungal disease that infects leaves and causes brown to
black spots on leaf edges and along leaf veins.
Anthracnose is most common during cool, wet springs.
Some types of
insect damage can also be confused with tatters. Some
insects, like cynipid wasps, deform leaves or form
galls. Caterpillar feeding on leaves may remove
interveinal leaf tissue and make the foliage appear thin
and lacy. Usually caterpillars will leave some sign,
such as webbing or frass, or the insects themselves will
be visible.
Injury from
herbicides can cause distortion or stunting of leaves,
leaf kill, chlorosis, or leaf drop. On oaks, evidence of
phenoxy herbicide damage is often demonstrated as tough
leathery
leaves |
Cause
Oak tatters
appears to be caused by damage to leaf tissue in the
buds or as the buds begin to open for leaf expansion.
The pattern of distribution suggests a relationship
between the damage and the physiology or developmental
stage of the host. Adjacent trees may differ in how they
are affected because they may be at different stages due
to genetics, environment, or other factors. Although
causes of the damage are unproven, they may include one
or more of the following factors:
Low temperature
injury before leaf expansion or during expansion of
young succulent leaf tissues.
Insects feeding
or ovipositing in the buds or developing leaves.
Insects suggested but not proven include thrips, plant
bugs, leafhoppers, and agromyzid flies.
Herbicides
affecting the physiology of the tree, resulting in
abnormal development of leaves. Herbicides have been
shown to affect plant enzymes that regulate growth,
resulting in malformed leaves and tissue. Information
on long-term impacts of herbicides and herbicide
mixtures on trees is
limited.
Steps to
Take
In woodlands, very little can be done to prevent
additional damage to oak trees after an oak tatters
event, except to reduce other stresses such as grazing
of livestock. However, you can take several steps to
minimize stresses to yard and urban landscape trees.
Avoid site changes (i.e. cut, fill, and compaction) or
protect trees and root systems if you plan changes.
Mulch newly planted or established trees to reduce grass
competition. To improve or maintain tree vigor, water
during extended dry periods and fertilize trees that
have a known mineral
deficiency.
Authors: Linda
Haugen, USDA FS; Phil Marshall, Indiana DNR; Jane
Cummings Carlson, Wisconsin DNR; Mark Vitosh, Iowa State
Univ. Extension; and Ed Hayes, Minnesota DNR. United
States, Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Northeastern
Area | |
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Contact: Tel:
830.257.8871 - Toll Free: 1.800.OAK.WILT (800-625-9458)
Cell: 830.459.8216 Toll Free: 1.866.OAK.WILT
(866.625.9458)
Jim Rediker - Nurseryman - Arborist - TDA Certified
SCENIC HILLS
NURSERY
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Toll Free: 1.800.OAK.WILT |
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