Garden Pest and Plant Disease Listing - OA

OAK MOTH: This pest attacks the western Oak. The larvae feed on foliage, stripping trees in bad years. Small, green pellets (larvae droppings) found under the trees are the first signs of infestation. Larvae can be controlled with Bacillus thuringiensis. Traditional pesticides may also be used but usually need to be applied by an arborist.

OAK ROOT FUNGUS: This is a soil borne disease common in parts of the dry-summer western U.S. It infects the roots of many plants, yellowing the leaves, causing wilting and dieback. Signs of infection include pale brown mushrooms growing around the base of the plant and fan-shaped, whitish mold under the bark. Infected plants are hard to save. An arborist may be able to help save large trees. A method of control is to plant resistant species. Also called Armillaria root rot.

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