Powdery Mildew on Live Oak

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By Cat McCabe, eHow Contributor

Live oak (Quercus virginiana) can live for hundreds of years, reaching a height of more than 50 feet, with a spreading canopy of 100 feet or more. Massive, gnarled trunks and nearly year-round foliage make it an excellent shade tree for southern climates, and many spectacular specimens can be found in the historic areas of major cities. Powdery mildew can be a problem for live oak, but can be addressed and is rarely a fatal disease.

Diagnosis
Examine the leaves and twigs of live oak for signs of powdery mildew. The main symptom is a whitish, dusty coating that usually occurs during cool, humid weather. This coating is fluffy--that's the fungus, producing its spores. Look for stunted, curling leaves covered with this fluff in spring and summer, followed by early leaf drop. Look for tiny, brown specks on leaves in fall to identify the second spore-producing phase of powdery mildew's life cycle.

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