"RoyDMercer" wrote in message
...
"Bob" wrote in message
link.net...
Pretty much widespread throughout Georgetown, Live Oak trees appear to
be
browning - first one limb and then others until the whole tree looks to
be
dead. I have never seen anything like this before.

Is this problem a result of all the worms we had this spring, and will
it
kill the trees or will they coe back?

The disease is spread by beetles and root grafts, not worms. If a tree is
infected, it will die in almost all cases. If you have a tree that has
it,
you need to remove the tree as quickly as possible to prevent infection of
nearby trees. It is possible to inoculate trees near infected trees with
some level of success. If this is not done, trees that share root areas
will eventually become infected also. All oaks in the red oak family
(which
Live Oaks reside) are susceptible. If you do have to remove an infected
tree, I suggest planting an elm in its place.

Because of this problem, I have planted only one Live Oak at my new
residence. For most shade trees, I have gone with elm trees and Chinese
Pistache. Cedar Elm is a Texas native and grows very well. Lacebark Elm
is
an Asian variety and does very well here also. Elms are susceptible to
dutch elm disease (which is similar in nature to oak wilt), however dutch
elm disease is not a problem in most areas of Texas and the two varieties
I
mentioned have a good resistance to the disease.

Thanks for the answer, but I was asking if this was oak wilt or a result of
the worm infestation. I know the worms don't spread it.

Glad you planted different trees. My huge oaks are natural and part of
the reason we chose this lot.