Hello,

I have three questions regarding tree planting. Don’t know if I should send three different emails, or, all in one. I’ll try all in one, and see what you think. 1) I had a young oak tree die because I pruned it too severely. Our pH seems to be about 6.5 I would like to know A) can I plant another oak right where this one was? (root rot?) B) which oak tree is most likely to tolerate the 6.5 pH? The tree will be about 20 feet from our driveway, 50’ from the house. I would like to plant an oak that will outlive me, if it could tolerate the high pH. For posterity, I would like to have trees that shade and cool the house. I live in Paw Paw, Illinois, in Lee County.

2) I have a 14 year old peach tree that now has bugs inside it. I will get some peaches this year, and then take this tree down. Can I plant a new tree in the same spot? Would it get the same bugs?

3) I have a beech tree that has some kind of fungus growing on it. I have a smaller beech tree 30 feet away that does not have any fungus on it. I will take the diseased tree down, but, must I take the younger tree down also?

Thank you for any information and suggestion you might have Sincerely, Karen Vlasaty

1) your pH is fine and you can replant any of the oaks in the same location. Nearly all oaks are very large growing trees and the distances you note should not be a problem 2) You can plant another peach in the same spot. Eventually you may get borers again no matter if you replanted elsewhere in your yard. 3) Without knowing what type of fungus, hard to answer this. If it appears as a blotchy bluegreen to maybe gray spots on the branches, this may be lichen moss and not harmful to the tree in any way. If there is a picture available, email me directly and and ID may be able to be done

Re your beech tree: In the past at some point there was vertical damage to the trunk when it was much younger. Most likely a frost crack (south or west side?). While it has partially healed over, a fungal decay has established itself in the interior dead tissue. The part of the decay organism now visible is the reproductive stage.

As the decay is internal to the tree, there is little that can be done. If it is a distance from any structure, you could let it be and enjoy for as long as you like or is possible. At some point (and has already begun) the decay will compromise the structural integrity and it will begin to break apart or blow down in a wind storm.