In the past two years, City Forester Tommy Schibilla has taken many calls regarding dead oak trees. He says it's due to the drought from 2021, 2022 and 2023.
The compounding stress has killed many oaks and/or made them susceptible to an insect called twolined chestnut borer. Twolined chestnut borer is a native beetle that attacks weakened oaks of every species in Minnesota. Other oak problems can easily be confused with twolined chestnut borer, and the presence of twolined chestnut borer doesn't necessarily mean it is the primary problem.
Oak wilt is another disease that affects all species of oaks found in Minnesota. It is caused by a non-native, invasive fungus. The fungus invades the water-conducting vessels of oaks, eventually killing infected trees.
Go here to see how to tell the difference between oak wilt and twolined chestnut borer.
Emerald ash borer (EAB) is also still prevalent in the community. EAB is an invasive insect that has killed millions of ash trees throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and southeastern Canada. Last fall, Schibilla updated us on the problem in Coon Rapids and provided tips to homeowners dealing with diseased trees on their private property.
For more information, go to the DNR's forestry website. You can learn all about the various forest pests and diseases, get links to tree planting and care, and much more!