I was driving yesterday, 7/6, on William Floyd Parkway toward Wading River, Long Island, New York, and was disturbed to see a large number of Oaks along that road and on the connecting Rt 25 East exhibiting the same look: Branch tips, perhaps about 1 to 2 feet average length, all over the trees completely brown as though the leaves were leftover from last fall. The rest of each tree is green and normal looking. I thought it was odd as I'd never seen this behavior before. This affects miles of road-side trees. No construction visible. I did think it was additionally odd to see some other entire trees leafless (probably dead) on Rt 25 as well. Any ideas? Anyone ever noticed this? Thanks.
Interesting! Could be and hadn't thought of it. Actually one thinks the worst. The trees surround Brookhaven National Lab, which is a SuperFund site (I don't know your location so I'll define) - a site where toxic wastes have been dumped and the Environmental Protection Agency has designated them to be cleaned up. But your explanation may be a simpler, much more pleasant one. Thank you!
I noticed the same thing the other day and googled it today to see if there was news about it and came across this thread. I travel between Route 25 and the expressway and it seems the leaves on the ends of each branch of all the trees in that section are dead but the rest of the tree is green. Its very strange.. however all the trees off William Floyd are fine...
Maybe MichaelF is right on target regarding possible road applications, such as salt. That would explain only affecting roadside plantings. Thanks kw1242 --- it's good to know other people see these things!
sounds like oak decline/dieback. Many factors including compacted soils cause it; found in all oak species. Here's a link with good info and pics of trees: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fidls/oakdecline/oakdecline.htm/ I imagine if you could get out of your car & see the trees close up, you'd see lots of other signs of damage/decline like "mushrooms" on trunks, etc.
I'd like to see pics too but remember getting pics of trees on William Floyd Parkway might not be very safe even if you can pull over.
Any access to the trees from side roads running parallel? I'd not want anyone to stop on a major road just to get tree pics!
Good points made about busy road photography!!! Unfortunately, I may not be back that way for a while. I am just surprised that others have not seemed to pick up on this - I have not heard any other comments from witnesses except from kw1242. It's quite a distinctive sight. When I do get back there I will somehow take some photos!
I live in the vicinity of the Lab and have been also wondering what is happening to the Oak trees. I've noticed brown spots in the trees for weeks now around the Ridge area and along Rt 25. Then, on a recent trip down William Floyd, was shocked on how bad it's become. It look's like fall in spots! It effects a larger area than just the Lab as spots in the trees can be also seen along 25A in Rocky Point and Wading River. I checked with a naturalist friend of mine who said it's caused by cicadas laying eggs in the tips of branches. Makes sense, as the cicadas have been active this summer. He said the trees will recover.
Thanks so much for your response! Cicadas do lay eggs on tree branches but I can't imagine such damage being caused by that! I also had not realized the damage went into Rocky Point and Ridge!!! I like your comment "looks like fall in spots" because that exactly describes it.
I drive the William Floyd Parkway every day and have noticed the browing of the tips of oak trees for several weeks. I live in the area and myself have old oaks on my property that have not been affected. Earlier this spring i notced a large number of gypsy moth sacks along the highways. Is it possible that this browning of the leaves is a result of that? Or could the cooler start to the summer has had an affect? It is quite an alarming site.
