I've got galls in my mature (200-300 year old) Post Oaks. These are substantial trees with trunks 36" in diameter and drip zones that are 60' in diameter. In addition their understory is planted with grass. Having said that I'd appreciated some clarification on a few of the steps Howard has spelled out in his Sick Tree Treatment.
Step 4: Apply Organic Amendments
Apply greensand at about 40-80 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft., lava sand at about 80-120 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft., horticultural cornmeal at about 20-30 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. and dry molasses at about 10-20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft,...Apply a 1" layer of compost followed by a 3" layer of shredded native tree trimmings; however, do not pile mulch up on the root flare or the trunk
Does this mean I use One, All or a Combination of these amendments? Am I spreading these within the entire drip line or just where I aerate, which as I understand extends
far out beyond the drip line. In addition the application of 1" compost and 3" native tree trimmings will smother my lawn, creating a huge bed! With drip zones as large as I'm dealing with we're talking about a significant quantity of material and of course cost.
Step 5: Spray Trees and Soil
Spray the ground, trunks, limbs, twigs and foliage of trees with compost tea or the entire Garrett Juice mixture.
Remember, we're talking very large trees here. I doubt I can apply CT or GJ high enough.
Maybe I'm putting the cart before the horse here anyway. Howard states in the topic of Galls...
The galls below on the back side of the live oak leaves are no serious problem unless there is a heavy infestation. In that case the tree is definitely in stress for some reason. Apply the Sick Tree Treatment and the population of these galls will diminish.
What is considered
heavy infestation? It appears that 15-20% of the leaves have these galls. Does it make a difference that I have Post Oaks? My Live Oaks are unaffected by this problem.
I appreciate any advice.
Stuart