Does my oak tree have a disease?

[K-AngeL]

I have quite a large oak tree in my back garden and it is covered in white patches. The older bark on the main trunk doesn't seem to have them but it is present on all the upper branches. I have attached a couple of photos so you can hopefully see what it's like. What I'd like to know please is whether or not it is a disease. If it is diseased is it serious and can I do anything about it. I have a few other smaller oak trees in the garden so I'd also like to know if it's contagious and if I need to do anything as drastic as chop down the tree (I hope not). Thanks.

[Tim Williams]

Looks like Lichen to me. not a disease just a natural occurrence

[Andrew B]

I second that! Thats a sign of good healthy air there mate.

 

ANdrew

[Chris P]

Just out of interest it would be good to have a photo of the tree from a little further back.

 

Something just seems wrong (not sure yet)

[arbclimber]

Just out of interest it would be good to have a photo of the tree from a little further back.

 

Something just seems wrong (not sure yet)

 

You thinking it aint an oak tree mate?

[Tree Man Tom]

You thinking it aint an oak tree mate?

 

Defiantly an oak mate.

[Chris P]

Yep Its defo an oak and thats defo lichen. But it looks like its been pruned hard in the past from one of those pics.

 

I might be wrong...

[arbclimber]

Defiantly an oak mate.

 

Ill take your word for it. Viewing it on my phone with the pics about an inch square it doesn't look like it. Thats my excuse anyway:blushing:

Wonder what chris p has spotted then. I can hardly wait to find out.

[arbclimber]

Ill take your word for it. Viewing it on my phone with the pics about an inch square it doesn't look like it. Thats my excuse anyway:blushing:

Wonder what chris p has spotted then. I can hardly wait to find out.

 

And now I know. Cant type very quick on the phone either:blushing:

Edited April 12, 2010 by arbclimber
stupidity

[K-AngeL]

Glad to hear the general consensus is lichen. The tree does seem to have been pruned and theres at least one dead? limb. Anyway I'm def not an expert so I've taken a pic of the whole tree. Hope it helps you identify if there is anything wrong.

[Nick Waring]

Looks like its been pollarded to me.