I have several trees on my property at Oak Run complex near Dahinda. There are 3 or 4 shagbark hickory trees and one or two oak near the decking at the back of the house. They appear to be dying and I was wondering if there is some disease causing these older trees to suddely (within a year or two) die? The decking has been in place for at least 4 or more years. The trees were very productive of nuts and acorns in 2008-09. But in 2010, the hickorys did not leaf out and the oaks were only sparingly leafed. What could be the problem? Thank you

Hi Dorothy:

Did you recently complete construction on a deck project in your backyard, adjacent to where these trees are located? If so, were these trees and their associated root system adequately buffered from any heavy equipment (soil compaction) and excavation (damage to root systems)?

Tree decline and death can occur 3-7 years after local construction projects, so this sort of mortality can be common if proper tree buffering controls were not properly envisioned and enforced.

My only suggestion is to have a professionally trained arborist examine the trees on-site for signs of decline and mortality.

IL Certified Arborists:

http://www.illinoisarborist.org/CertifiedArboristsNew.htm

Best of luck!