Protecting Harriman’s oaks City, state and county officials team up for bur oak tree protection

The bur oak trees at Herriman Park went under the microscope again as bur oak blight continues to be a presence in Iowa.
Hampton Tree Board member Dick Lukensmeyer said in late July, Iowa DNR District Forester Joe Herring visited the Hampton park to see if additional bur oak trees warranted treatment against bur oak blight. The disease, a fungus that causes defoliation, has already claimed a handful of bur oak trees in the park. Lukensmeyer said crews have identified six more bur oak trees that will be taken out this winter. Those trees will be replaced.
Lukensmeyer said the meeting with Herring, as well as members of the tree board, City of Hampton officials and Franklin County Conservation, helped analyze trees that had previously been treated for the disease and review if eight additional trees needed treatment.
He said no new trees showed signs of bur oak blight, but symptoms become more predominant in late August.
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