Dark, oozing patches on the trunk of a coast live oak deserve a closer look, especially in the Oakland and Orinda hills.
Sudden Oak Death is caused by a water mold called Phytophthora ramorum, which has been present in parts of the East Bay hills for years. It spreads mainly through rain splash from host plants like California bay laurel, so the rainy season is when new infections take hold.
Common signs on oaks include bleeding cankers with dark red or black sap, often within a few feet of the ground, plus beetle holes and fine sawdust around those spots. Crowns can brown out quickly once an infected tree declines.
An infected oak can become brittle and unsafe near homes, roads, and trails. Graham Tree Service brings more than five decades of East Bay experience to removing compromised trees safely and cleanly. Keeping bay laurel foliage trimmed back from oak trunks can also help reduce exposure.
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A close-up photo of a bleeding canker on an oak trunk, or a wide shot of an East Bay hillside oak, works best. Real photos from local jobs outperform stock images; avoid generic forest stock.
Canva text suggestion: "Bleeding Bark? Know the Signs" or "Watch Your Oaks This Rainy Season"