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Diseased or Pest-Infested Tree
in Columbia, MO
Columbia lost a significant number of ash trees to emerald ash borer starting in the early 2010s, and many of those dead trees are still standing in backyards and along streets. Oak wilt, a fungal disease, has also been confirmed in Boone County and spreads through root connections between trees in the same yard. Diseased trees that aren't removed become reservoirs that reinfect the surrounding area.
Quick Answer
Emerald ash borer has killed a large number of ash trees across Columbia over the past 15 years, and oak wilt is showing up more often in the older neighborhoods. A diseased tree that's left standing keeps the pest or fungus alive and spreads it to healthy trees nearby. Removing the tree and handling the debris correctly stops that spread. Call (573) 615-8401 if you see die-back in the upper canopy that moved down fast.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Die-back starting at the top of the canopy and moving downward over one or two seasons
- S-shaped galleries visible under loose bark sections
- Leaves wilting and browning from the outer tips inward during summer
- Woodpeckers working heavily on one particular tree
- Vertical cracks in the bark with sap staining running down the trunk
- One tree in a group died quickly and the neighboring tree now shows the same signs
Root Causes
What Causes Diseased or Pest-Infested Tree?
Emerald Ash Borer Infestation
Emerald ash borer larvae tunnel under the bark of ash trees and cut off the tree's ability to move water and nutrients. The pest reached Columbia around 2012 and has moved through most of the city's ash tree population. An infested tree is usually dead within 3 years of showing symptoms.
The Fix
Ash Tree Removal and Disposal
Infested wood should not be moved off the property as firewood or logs, as that spreads the beetle to new areas. The tree is removed and chipped on-site or taken to a disposal site that handles infested material.
Oak Wilt Fungal Disease
Oak wilt spreads two ways in Columbia: through sap-feeding beetles that carry spores from tree to tree, and through root grafts between oaks growing close together. Red oaks die within weeks of showing symptoms. White oaks decline more slowly but are still at risk.
The Fix
Infected Tree Removal and Root Graft Severance
The infected tree is removed and a vibratory plow is used to cut root connections between it and neighboring oaks. Cutting those connections stops the fungus from traveling underground to the next tree.
Hypoxylon Canker From Drought Stress
Columbia summers with stretches of less than 1 inch of rain per month stress oaks and other hardwoods. Hypoxylon canker, a fungus that lives in healthy trees without causing problems, becomes aggressive when the tree is weakened by drought. It kills the bark in large patches and the tree can't recover.
The Fix
Tree Removal After Canker Diagnosis
There is no treatment for hypoxylon canker once it has taken hold. Removal stops the fungal spores from spreading to nearby stressed trees.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | Emerald Ash Borer Infestation | Oak Wilt Fungal Disease | Hypoxylon Canker From Drought Stress |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-shaped tunnels visible under bark on an ash tree | |||
| Oak leaves wilting and browning from tips inward in July | |||
| Gray powdery patches on bark where the outer layer is falling off | |||
| Neighboring oak died fast after one in the same yard was removed too late | |||
| Woodpeckers feeding on the trunk in large numbers | |||
| Canopy die-back after two dry summers in a row |
Free Inspection
Get a Diagnosis in Columbia
An on-site inspection is the only way to confirm which cause applies to your property. Free, no obligation.
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