Unknown pest(s) on Monterrey Oak - please help

19 years ago

I have a Monterrey oak with a problem - maybe more than one. Can you help me identify what is happening and tell me how to get rid of the pests? The leaves are browning around the edges. The are also badly eaten, primarily in the middle but also around the edges to some extent. The middle of the leaves have holes in an almost symmetrical pattern.

When I look at the tree, I can't locate any particular sort of pest. But there are a few insect casings that I suspect is some sort of leaf roller. They are definitely not the oak leaf roller so common in Central Texas in the spring, though. They are much fatter. But I only find a few of these, and the damage to the tree is widespread. There is hardly a leaf on it that doesn't have some sort of damage.

Whatever it is, they attack the new growth very early. In this picture you can already see the tiny holes.

We just planted this tree last fall. We water it weekly. It seems like the browning on the edges might have a different cause than what is causing the holes and chewed up edges...(?)

Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Suzanne

Featured Answer

ksfaustin
Original Author

19 years ago

Thanks, Jean. We can definitely up the amount and frequency of the water we're giving it.

Do you think that we should just ignore the holes, then? I'd prefer not to resort to pesticides if it's not absolutely necessary. On the other hand, this tree was a sizable investment...

Thanks,
Suzanne

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Comments (8)

botanybob
19 years ago
The holes in the leaf in the first photo have a very interesting pattern. For every hole in one half of the leaf, there is a corresponding hole in the other half. This means that the damage is being done before the leaf unfolds. Look for some kind of chewing insect (like a caterpillar or beetle) that is feeding on the very new leaves.

The leaf-edge browning could be from too much salt or too alkaline a soil. Do you see these symptoms on any other plants? Have you had your soil tested for pH or salt content?
ksfaustin
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks for your response, botanybob. Here's another shot showing the leaf pattern.

{{gwi:1191108}}

Anyone else have any thoughts or advice?

Thanks,
Suzanne
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ksfaustin
Original Author
19 years ago
I just realized that I didn't answer your questions. No, I have not seen these symptoms on any other trees or plants in or around my yard. We have not had the soil analyzed, but that sounds like I good idea.

If the leaves are being attacked before they unfold (and I agree that seems most likely) whatever is doing it must be very, very small. My husband and I have both been looking at the tree regularly and can't see anything. Could it be some type of mite?

Thanks again,
Suzanne
jean001
19 years ago
The browning edges is likely due to a water shortage in the region of the original rootball and just beyond.

The tiny holes are insignificant to your trees health.

But no, it's not due to mites.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
19 years ago
do not up the water.. without checking the soil ...

how new is this tree???? your note indicates that it was a big investment.. so may i presume it is newer .. this year????

any sizable transplant will take a few years to regrow enough roots to support the tree ... so browned leaves are not uncommon .. with a tree.. i would err toward 'proper' water ... as compared to trying to drown it .... the only way to know if you are watering properly ... is to water it.. and then dig a SMALL hole with a hand shovel.. and see just how far down the water is actually getting... i would prefer one good deep soak a month .. to something like a sprinkler for 15 minutes a day ... you have to insure that water is getting down to the root level ...

as to the holes in the leaves ... lol .. i would trim the tree up high enough that you don't see them ... lol .... i surely would not use chemicals on leaves that stay attached to the tree for the whole season .. they are still doing their work feeding the tree.. holes or not ...

bugs come.. bugs go.. good years.. bad years ... but unless they are de-nuding the tree completely .. i just don't see where chemicals will get you anything positive.. in fact.. spraying of chemicals at the time the leaves are unfurling can burn the baby leaves.. and you will be further behind than if you left it alone ...

on the other hand .. if its been in place for 5 years.. i might change my mind.. lol

ken
ksfaustin
Original Author
19 years ago
Hi Ken, thanks for the advice. We purchased and planted the tree on November 1, 2005. It was in a 100-gallon container. It was approximately 15 ft. tall and the trunk was about 6 inches in diameter. It seems to be growing fairly quickly and putting out plenty of new leaves. It will lose all its current leaves in ~January and put out new ones again almost immediately.

Your point about pesticides is well taken, and I'll go ahead and arrange to have the soil analyzed before adjusting the water schedule (currently once per week.)

Thanks again,
Suzanne
jean001
19 years ago
Once a week watering may or may not be sufficient. Depends upon a number of things, among them by which method, how long, where the water was applied, and the prevailing weather.

As has been suggested, the only way you'll know for certain that the applied water is neither too much nor too little is to check the soil of the original rootball.