Step 1: Determine the cause

A number of different agents can induce this condition and each has different management approaches.

It is essential to determine the cause of the bleeding in oak so that the correct management practices are applied.

Forest Research Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service (THDAS) can help diagnose the cause of bleeding, but there may be a charge for this service.

The following are tips on the kind of information that would assist THDAS:

• Survey and record the number of symptomatic trees and the severity of their condition.
• Record their distribution on the affected site.
• Take photographs of the trees so that a clear indication of the extent of damage on each tree is obtained. Close ups of symptoms are useful but the overall picture showing the condition of the canopy and stem is usually more informative and photographs taken over successive years allow changes in the condition of the trees to be analysed. If there are mushrooms associated with the stem base, branch wounds or on the ground around the roots, include pictures of these.

Step 2: Follow appropriate management treatment

Once you have a correct diagnosis of the cause of the bleeding, and if the condition is described as acute oak decline with symptoms of extensive stem bleeding, then follow the specific advice for the management of extensive stem bleeding on oak.

Advice on oaks and other trees affected by Phytophthora ramorum

Separate advice on the management of oaks and other trees affected by Phytophthora ramorum (often referred to in the USA as “Sudden Oak Death”) is given in:

“Phytophthora ramorum – A practical guide for established parks and gardens, amenity landscapes and woodland areas”.

This is available free from:

Defra Publications
Admail 6000
London SW1A 2XX

Tel: 08459 556000

or can be downloaded from the Defra website:

Phytophthora ramorum – A practical guide for established parks and gardens, amenity landscapes and woodland areas