Latest news with #OldWolfOak
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The oldest bur oak tree in the state of Nebraska has died after living for more then 300 years
PONCA, Neb. (KCAU) — Nebraska Game & Parks confirmed that the 'Old Wolf Oak' at Ponca State Park, a tree that is believed to be more than 300 years old, has died. 'You start seeing pathogens within the tree of fungal infestations, and that's what we can see on this tree behind me,' said Richard Wahmeyer, the horticulturalist for the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. 'Fungal matters from Hypoxylon Canker, which [was] ultimately what killed this tree behind me.' Hypoxylon Canker is a type of fungus that can kill trees, and Wahmeyer says he's starting to see it on other trees in the park. 'Just within this area, I can see elm and ash trees that have also perished due to the Hypoxylon Canker,' said Wahmeyer. 'So the canker is not species dependent. It will attack or infest other species of tree.' Story continues below Top Story: Sac County Sheriff: Man assaulted jail staff, attempted escape Lights & Sirens: Suspect shot at during pursuit in stolen vehicle, Dakota Co Sheriff says Sports: West Sioux boys soccer wins first-ever IHSAA State title with 2-1 OT win Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here Due to that threat, Wahmeyer is working to stop the spread by removing the trees around the old oak that are affected. 'Right now, we're working with the best information that we have at hand,' Richard said. 'And, so we are working towards removing this, the material that essentially is going to act as just a breeding ground for this canker, so we can get a handle on what we can potentially control.' Currently, the park has no plans to remove the old oak, primarily for a sentimental reason. 'This was a highly treasured and celebrated visited tree,' Wahmeyer expressed. 'We want to continue to celebrate its life. So we're going to leave it standing.' But if it continues to affect the forest, they will have to remove it. 'And if that happens, we will still try to utilize or salvage material from the tree. So it has, you know, a second life here in the park,' Wahmeyer said. Due to the brittle tree, Wahmeyer encourages folks not to climb the tree to prevent any injuries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
One of Nebraska's oldest trees has died
PONCA, Neb. (KCAU) — Officials with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission say one of the state's oldest trees has died. Old Wolf Oak has stood in what is now Ponca State Park for more than 380 years. The tree had become a popular woodland destination for parks visitors. What you need to know before you go: June 2, 2025 The Commission says prolonged extreme drought conditions are likely the chief culprit in the bur oak's death. Bur oaks are drought resistant, but do have their limits. Extended drought causes dieback in the tree canopy and root systems. The effect is similar to when a person's immune system is weakened. The drought has created an opening for afflictions like bur oak blight and fungal infections to impact trees in many state parks along Nebraska's eastern border. Both diseases are unlikely to kill a tree on their own, but combined with drought, it opens the door to worse infections and a higher likelihood of tree death. Story continues below Top Story: Community remembers Alicia Hummel 10 years after her murder Lights & Sirens: Venue change motion for Bloomfield double homicide case pending Sports: Huskers baseball drops NCAA opener to Oklahoma in 7-4 defeat Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here The Game and Parks Commission say they're viewing this as an opportunity for ecological renewal. After consulting with experts in states with similar issues, the Commission has developed a comprehensive response plan, which includes the removal and destruction of infected trees and limbs. Another area of focus is limiting the spread of invasive species, and encouraging native vegetative growth in newly-cleared areas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
One of state's oldest trees — tourist attraction ‘Old Wolf Oak' — has died
Nebraska's "Old Wolf Oak" tree, a burr oak that is more than 380 years old, has died after a long drought. (Courtesy of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission) LINCOLN — One of Nebraska's oldest trees has died, and officials are blaming drought conditions. The 'Old Wolf Oak,' a burr oak with a 9.8-foot circumference located along a hiking trail at Ponca State Park, was estimated to be more than 380 years old. The tree was a popular stop for park visitors, given that it was 223 years old when Nebraska became a state in 1867 and was a silent witness to the Lewis & Clark Expedition of 1804-06. But Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials say drought conditions in eastern Nebraska have created large areas of dead or declining mature trees, including the stately oak. The past two years have seen extreme drought across Nebraska, officials said. While native species like the bur oak are drought-tolerant, prolonged drought causes dieback in the canopy and root systems, weakening tree defenses. This creates an opening for pests and pathogens, officials said, and makes a tree more vulnerable to infection. Game and Parks staff had been monitoring and, where possible, treating bur oaks for bur oak blight, which can weaken a tree. Officials also identified a new threat to trees, hypoxylon canker, a fungus that invades the vascular systems of drought-stricken trees and dooms a tree. The old oak will soon be cut down under a response plan developed after consulting with experts, Game and Parks announced. Infected material must be destroyed on-site, officials said, to avoid stressing the surrounding healthy trees. A sign at the Wolf Oak, erected in 1964, states that it 'began its life in 1644.' But more modern dating techniques later added another half century to its age. Ironically, it was not a state champion tree in its category. A registry kept by the Nebraska Forest Service lists a burr oak with a circumference of 18.7 feet near Peru as the state champion. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
