Possible diseased oak tree?

Question

Our neighbor's oak tree has a light green (similar to the "sea foam green" color popular in the early 90's) film growing on the branches near where they exit the trunk. It almost appears that the bark itself is turning this color but it is too high to see for me to be certain. I am concerned that this may be a symptom of disease. The most pressing concern is that if this tree ends up falling towards our house and not hers, it will fall on my shed and my kitchen! The other concern is that I have small oaks growing in my front yard that came from squirrels planting acorns that came from this tree. I want to transplant these to our backyard since it has few trees. If the "parent" tree is diseased, will the "offspring" trees be diseased as well? Sorry for the multiple questions in one. Please point me to answers! Thank you!

I've seen moss on tree bark before, and it looks nothing like moss.

Answer 1

when oaks are diseased they can 'shed' a bough to protect the rest of the tree. So be careful. If your neighbor won't get it checked out then maybe you should - it's better to pay than to end up feeling sorry that you didn't. Good luck

Answer 2

I doubt it's serious and sounds more like moss or lichen. Oak trees, in particular, grow great gobs of moss and they're fine.

If it worries you that much, call in an Arborist (they are in the phonebook). If you can't find an Arborist, try a Nurseryman. Usually, the bigger nurserys, especially commercial nurserys, have a tree specialist. You'd be surpirsed how many full grown trees are transplanted each year.

Answer 3

oak trees can and often do have a moss growing on them. I have many oaks in my yard and in the woods around my property I would not worry about it till spring and see how the leafs look and how many it has on it.

Answer 4

Sounds like moss, or Lichen growing on the tree which not effect it in anyway.
it will stand out more after bit of rain.

Relax, its normal