Oak Tree Leaves Turning Yellow

Among the many beautiful trees of the Quercus genus is the oak tree. The oak trees are found in many regions of the northern hemisphere. Many different types of oak trees possess characteristics of deciduous as well as ever green trees. The specialty of oak trees is that they are found in many different regions throughout the world that span from the cold latitudes of the Tundra regions to the sub tropical latitudes of the temperate regions. The oak tree also happens to be a tree that has aroused the interest of many botanists due to its wonderful structuring of the roots and shoots. The different species of the oak possess highly versatile characteristics. For example, the live oak or the evergreen oak has an excellent shoot which covers a large area. On the other hand, the Pin oak which is also known as the Swamp Spanish oak, has a vertically projected and rather narrow shoot. There are four probable reasons for oak leaves to turn yellow.

Why Do Oak Tree Leaves Turn Yellow?

The reasons differ from case to case and at times, oak tree leaves turning yellow can also be a part of the natural shedding cycle of the plant.

Shedding of Leaves
Oak tree leaves dying can be a very natural cause for the leaves to turn yellow, which marks the beginning of the shedding period. Facts about oak trees state that after turning yellow, the oak tree leaves become brown and shrivel up as they lose moisture, and they eventually fall of the tree to make way for new leaves that appear in spring.

Inappropriate Fertilizers
One of the common causes for the yellowing of oak leaves is usage of inappropriate fertilizers. Many fertilizers that are used for gardening are often a combination of 'feed' and 'weed'. The 'weed' portion contains herbicides that are capable of killing trees like the oak tree. The broad leaf herbicides contain artificial substances like dicamba and triclopyr, which damage the leaves of the trees. The fertilizers that are used to treat lawns and small plants usually contain these two substances. Dicamba and triclopyr usually hamper the growth of oak trees when they are absorbed by the roots of the tree. Prolonged absorption of these substances by the roots of an oak tree can also result in the death of the oak trees.

Oak Wilt
The oak wilt is one of the oak tree diseases. This oak tree disease can also result in what is known as 'sudden oak death'. This phenomenon occurs when the oak trees that are grouped together fall prey to the attack of parasites. Oak wilt is not just some common oak tree leaves disease, but is capable of killing the whole tree, if the affected parts are not amputated on time. Oak tree leaves spots and oak tree leaves fungus further deteriorate the immune system of the tree. Oak wilt is a contagious form of wilt and spreads through the variety of mediums like insects and water. Another risk to this tree is the attack of erophytid mites on oak tree leaves. Curled leaves is a sure sign of a deteriorated immune system. Oak wilt is known to have killed a large number of oak trees in North America.

Iron chlorosis
Iron chlorosis is another cause for the leaves to turn yellow. Iron chlorosis, is actually an iron deficiency that plagues the oak tree leaves. Many gardeners and forest officials often conduct surveys and oak tree leaves identification, to spot the oak trees that are affected by iron chlorosis. The best way to cure iron chlorosis, is to use an iron rich fertilizer for the trees.

There can be several other reasons behind oak leaves turning yellow, like certain unknown diseases and attack by parasites. If you have planted an oak tree in your garden, then the best way to prevent its leaves from turning yellow is to use a natural fertilizer to nourish it and also other plants and the lawn around it. You can also trim off the oak leaves turning yellow, in case the trees are at the risk of succumbing to attacks by parasites.