Cleaning Live Oak bark

Scrogdor

Chumono
Messages
583
Reaction score
481
Location
Oakland, CA
USDA Zone
9B
I picked up a coast live oak pre-bonsai over the weekend, it’s about 12 years old( that’s what I was told give or take).

What I noticed today though is it’s bark is much darker than most coast live oaks that I’ve seen, some of its branches are almost black. There is also quite a bit of black soot mold on the leaves as well. I didn’t see any insects besides a centipede.

Is there a way to “clean” the bark and maybe leaves to get it back to light grey/white? Some pics below. Thanks
 

Attachments

  • 1352869B-C636-4182-ADD0-32F8992A4229.jpeg
    1352869B-C636-4182-ADD0-32F8992A4229.jpeg
    139.1 KB · Views: 29
  • 136206B6-140D-4E2D-9E61-4C3AFF868626.jpeg
    136206B6-140D-4E2D-9E61-4C3AFF868626.jpeg
    186.1 KB · Views: 29
  • 24ADE009-B358-4345-9808-53C0C018EAA1.jpeg
    24ADE009-B358-4345-9808-53C0C018EAA1.jpeg
    169.7 KB · Views: 29

Wulfskaar

Omono
Messages
1,197
Reaction score
1,842
Location
Southern California
USDA Zone
10a
Nice tree! I can't see anything that looks too bad to me from these pictures. Maybe treat with some fungicide?
 

Scrogdor

Chumono
Messages
583
Reaction score
481
Location
Oakland, CA
USDA Zone
9B
Nice tree! I can't see anything that looks too bad to me from these pictures. Maybe treat with some fungicide?
Yeah, going to try an organic one. Just wondering how people get their coast live oaks so white.
 

BrianBay9

Masterpiece
Messages
2,753
Reaction score
5,377
Location
Fresno, CA
USDA Zone
9
The light grey bark on coast live oaks is the juvenile bark. As it ages it gets darker and starts to split, eventually looking like their more mature bark. If yours needs a clean up, just use a soft toothbrush and some water or vinegar. If you have lichen you want to keep, don't use the vinegar.
 

Scrogdor

Chumono
Messages
583
Reaction score
481
Location
Oakland, CA
USDA Zone
9B
The light grey bark on coast live oaks is the juvenile bark. As it ages it gets darker and starts to split, eventually looking like their more mature bark. If yours needs a clean up, just use a soft toothbrush and some water or vinegar. If you have lichen you want to keep, don't use the vinegar.
I'll try a light scrub on some of the branches. Does apple cider vinegar work, or does it matter what kind?
 

BrianBay9

Masterpiece
Messages
2,753
Reaction score
5,377
Location
Fresno, CA
USDA Zone
9
Doesn't matter what kind of vinegar. Just use the cheapest you have.
 

Forsoothe!

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,878
Reaction score
9,248
Location
Michigan
USDA Zone
6b
You can spray with ~10% household bleach in water and rinse it off after it dries. No scrubbing necessary. Don't wear clothes you like.
 
Top Bottom