Q.Freeze Damage To Live Oak
Winter Storm Uri coated this tree in ice for a week. When the ice thawed, it dropped all of its leaves. Over the summer, it sprouted a bunch of tiny shoots from the trunk that formed a ball in the middle. I thought it was a parasite at first but on examining the leaves realized they came from the tree. The main limbs remain leafless. Is this a typical stress reaction for a live oak, and should I replace it?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
It sounds like it produced water sprouts as a reaction to stress. Your tree should have leafed out with the typical live oak spring leaf replacement. You can check the stems and trunk to see if they are still alive by scraping off some of the outer layer. If green underneath, it is still alive. Here is an article about the ice storm and what to do for your oak trees.
https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2021/05/06/oak-trees-still-recovering-from-winter-storm/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/winter-damaged-trees-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/oak/live-oak-tree-care.htm
