A Deadly Disease of Laurel Oak

As far as landscape trees go, the Laurel Oak (Quercus hemisphaerica) is one of the very best for the Lowcountry. This native oak is semi-evergreen (briefly losing most of its leaves in late winter) and grows to a mature height of 40-60 feet. Laurel Oak is a rapid grower that thrives in well-draining soils.

Because it is smaller than Live Oaks and Willow Oaks, this tree has become very popular as a street tree in Charleston and in other cities along the Coastal Plain. This tree will thrive in sandy soils with low fertility.   In naturalized areas of the Lowcountry, Laurel Oaks are commonly found growing in sand hills and near stream banks.

Until recently, it was thought that this tree had no major pest problems. But two years ago, a Laurel Oak disease was identified on a mature tree that died in Marion Square in Charleston. The city parks director noted that this tree was the “biggest, most magnificent tree in the park.” Laurel Oaks on John’s Island were also dying because of this disease.

Experts from Clemson University determined that this disease is caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi, a fungal pathogen.

This disease, commonly called Phytophthora Basal Canker of Oaks is characterized by “bleeding” cankers on the bottom 5-6 feet of a tree’s trunk. These cankers ooze clear or dark-stained sap that runs down the bark of the tree.

As these cankers expand, they can girdle the root collars and stems of an infected tree. The subsequent damage caused to the vascular system prevents water from reaching the leaves. As a result, trees begin to lose vigor and show symptoms of dieback. Depending on the natural resistance of the tree and environmental factors, this disease can be deadly to Laurel Oaks.

Recently, I was called to a look at a tree on James Island that went from seemingly healthy to completely dead in just two weeks. There were oozing cankers on the lower portion of the trunk. Also, all of the leaves had turned brown and were still attached to the branches. Microscopic and lab analyses indicated that the tree had been killed byPhytophthora cinnamomi and the tree was promptly taken down.

In order to effectively treat for this disease, it must be done early. Laurel Oaks with visible cankers and branch dieback will not respond to fungicide treatments and should be removed.

If there are other Laurel Oaks growing nearby, it is recommended that they are treated with a fungicide to ensure that they do not become infected. Rawson Services, Inc. has the equipment and training necessary to apply the proper fungicides to the bark and soil.

Basal Cankers on the trunk of a Laurel Oak.