The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Ask The Forester => Topic started by: Ga_Boy on February 23, 2005, 12:33:25 PM

Title: Pictures of White Oak Bark Turning White and Powdery
Post by: Ga_Boy on February 23, 2005, 12:33:25 PM
I got a WO on my lot that the bark is turning wite and powdery about 2' up from the ground.

This sesction where the bark is turing to white powder is about 18" to 24" wide.

The tree is about 14" to 16" diameter.


Any ideas what this is?

I'll post some pictures tonight when I get home.





Mark

Title: Re: White Oak Bark Turning White and Powdery
Post by: SwampDonkey on February 23, 2005, 03:21:09 PM
Is the bark loose and dry? Can you peel the bark by hand down to the cambium? If the bark is loose, are there galleries on the inner bark?
Title: Re: White Oak Bark Turning White and Powdery
Post by: Ga_Boy on February 24, 2005, 07:10:51 AM
Well I dod not get to the picture last night and it's snowing today, I hope to get the picture taken this afternoon.  With it snowing, there's not alot I can do outside.




Mark
Title: Re: White Oak Bark Turning White and Powdery
Post by: Phorester on February 26, 2005, 05:52:55 PM

Could just be a condition called white patch, also called smooth patch.

Caused by a fungus that attacks the outer bark and causes these smooth patches to form.  Most often seen on either slow growing or old white oaks.  Pretty common on bigger white oaks. Doesn't harm the tree at all.
Title: Re: White Oak Bark Turning White and Powdery
Post by: SwampDonkey on February 26, 2005, 06:31:24 PM
Might even just be a large patch of lichen (blue-green Algae and Fungi), which are harmless. They feed off air pollutants. Some are light blue-green in color, almost white.
Title: Re: White Oak Bark Turning White and Powdery
Post by: Ga_Boy on February 27, 2005, 03:11:44 PM
Here are three pictures showing the bark on that White Oak.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11205/White%20Oak%201.jpg)


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11205/White%20Oak%202.jpg)


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11205/White%20Oak%203.jpg)




Mark
Title: Re: Pictures of White Oak Bark Turning White and Powdery
Post by: SwampDonkey on February 27, 2005, 04:08:26 PM
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Lichen.jpg)

blue-green algae on sugar maple bark
Title: Re: Pictures of White Oak Bark Turning White and Powdery
Post by: SwampDonkey on February 27, 2005, 04:10:26 PM
Ga_Boy

Did a deer rub your tree by chance ???
Title: Re: Pictures of White Oak Bark Turning White and Powdery
Post by: Ga_Boy on February 27, 2005, 05:21:41 PM
I don't think a deer rubbed the tree.  My old knot headed dog does a pretty good job of keeping deer away.

Title: Re: Pictures of White Oak Bark Turning White and Powdery
Post by: Phorester on February 27, 2005, 05:37:23 PM

Pictures look like white patch.  I checked on google; there's links to this condition.  Search and see what you think.