Sudden Oak Life by Lee Klinger

Today I inspected a grove of coast live oaks that have received fire mimicry treatments for the past two years. The results generally show improvement in canopy density and lushness, with the exception of one oak (photo below) that made a remarkable recovery last year, but ended up succumbing this year to stress and disease. Note the last photo set of this post showing the canopy of a nearby untreated oak for comparison.

Last September (2020) I treated 8 mature coast live oaks in Soquel, CA, with fire mimicry. We first pruned and cleared around the oaks, which was documented at the time in this post “Initial stages of fire mimicry in Soquel, CA”. We then spread compost tea and alkaline-rich minerals to the surrounding soils, and applied limewash to the trunks of the oaks. After one (drought) year, all 8 of the oaks are showing improvement in canopy density and lushness. Note that in Case No. 20200927.6 (below), this oak is severely infected with a stem canker disease (probably Sudden Oak Death) but is still showing a slight improvement in canopy health.

Last year we treated several canyon live oaks in Aptos, CA with fire mimicry. Here are the results …

In June of 2018 I discovered two bleeding stem canker infections (possibly Sudden Oak Death) in an old coast live oak in Monterey, CA. I performed fire mimicry treatments on this tree, and surgically removed and cauterized the bleeding stem cankers. Below are photos showing the procedure and as well as the recovery of the wounds and canopy of the oak after three years. Enjoy!

Last year on this date I first treated several ailing coast live oaks with a fire mimicry protocol. To be honest, I was not optimistic about being able to help these oaks, which had been in decline for several years. Still, the owner wanted to try and I’m sure happy that he did. Today I inspected and re-photographed the oaks and, despite the different light conditions, found they have clearly shown improvement in canopy density and lushness. Note that the final oak in this series is UNTREATED.

Three years ago I began fire mimicry treatments on a grove of very sick coast live oaks in Monterey, CA. the photos (above and below) indicate that most of the oaks have responded nicely, showing improvement in canopy density and lushness. Note that one severely diseased oak below (Case No. 20171202.6) had a surgery and cauterization procedure that appears to have been successful. At least for these trees, 2020 has ended on a positive note!

Two years ago I treated 21 coast live oaks with fire mimicry at Canterbury Woods, a senior retirement center in Pacific Grove, CA. Today I inspected the oaks and re-photographed them. Here are the results. Most of the oaks appear to have a denser canopy after two years. Please take a careful look at the photos and judge for yourself.