How to Diagnose Curled, Brown Leaf Edges on Oak Trees

You may notice oak leaf symptoms during certain seasons or weather conditions. For example, anthracnose and oak leaf blister are generally non-fatal fungus diseases that cause curled leaf edges during wet spring weather. Oak wilt disease causes curled, bronze or tan leaf margins in late spring or early summer, and it can kill a tree in one season. If oak leaf edges turn a buff or creamy color after the first sub-freezing temperatures in the fall, frost may be the culprit. Choose oak species that are hardy in your region to minimize freeze damage.

The specific appearance of the affected oak leaves can help you diagnose oak leaf symptoms. Anthracnose causes random brown leaf blotches and curled leaf margins on lower, inner branches. Oak leaf blister can cause leaves to curl at the edges after yellow, raised spots on the leaves age and turn brown. Oak wilt symptoms begin with pale leaves and brown leaf veins and edges. Oak wilt begins in the upper branches and progresses to the lower branches.

An oak tree with brown, curled leaf edges may permanently lose its leaves or may grow healthy new leaves, depending on the cause. If your oak tree produces healthy new growth after it loses its damaged leaves, anthracnose may be the cause of symptoms. Leaves usually remain on an oak tree that has oak leaf blister. A tree infected with oak wilt disease may lose all of its leaves, or the leaves may stay on the tree after they curl and turn brown, according to the University of Illinois Extension.

To control anthracnose, rake and remove leaves in the fall. To control severe anthracnose or oak leaf blister infections, mix 2 teaspoons of concentrated chlorothanolil fungicide in 4 gallons of water, and thoroughly spray the tree surface every 7 to 14 days in early spring. Limit pruning to the winter dormant season to prevent wounds that attract oak-wilt transmitting insects, recommends the Pennsylvania State University Extension. A certified arborist inject an oak trees with fungicide to control oak wilt disease, and if the tree doesn't survive, the professional can remove it.

Warning: If you are pregnant or nursing, have someone else apply fungicides. Keep children and pets away from fungicides and treated trees. A tree care professional should apply fungicides to large trees with out-of-reach branches.

Other factors such as salt injury and excess nitrogen fertilizer can cause brown, curled leaf margins in oak trees. To avoid leaf damage from the salts in de-icers, do not use de-icers near your oak trees. To prevent brown leaf margins that occur from overfertilizing, limit fertilizer applications to 2/10 of a pound to 1 pound of nitrogen per 100 square feet each year for established trees, depending on the type of soil. Divide the nitrogen fertilizer into two applications in the fall and spring.