How to Care for English Oak Trees
- 1). Plant English oak trees in areas that provide full sun exposure. The tree prefers moist, well-drained soil with either an alkaline or acid pH. Maintain excellent drainage to avoid waterlogged soil.
- 2). Look for signs of powdery mildew disease, particularly in humid climates, which is a common problem among English oaks. Symptoms include discoloration and distorted leaves as well as the white powder-like fungal growth. Examine your tree primarily in spring when temperatures rise above 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, when powdery mildew fungi are most active, according to the Clemson University Extension.
- 3). Eradicate powdery mildew through cultural means, if possible. Prune away and remove any affected plant parts. Also, to prevent re-infection, water soil directly, through drip irrigation or a soaker hose, instead of using overhead irrigation.
- 4). Apply a chemical fungicide with the active ingredients myclobutanil or triadimefon for severe infections that do not respond to natural control methods, according to the Clemson University Extension.
