Mill dew on Oak
By Robertpyatt
Wiltshire,
United Kingdom 
I'm having problems with a newly planted Oak at the school that I Garden at. THe tree is only three feet high i think it was planted two years ago as a commemoration for a student that died. I have already lost the main growing shoot that had didn't come through the winter, I cut this back to the trunk. But now I have what looks like white milldew appearing on the leaves. The tree has a population of aphids and white fly but I hoped that the tree would be able to cope with these. As a said this is a commemorative tree and it would be very upsetting if the tree were to die as well. So pulling it out and start again has to be the last of the options. I will take some photos if anyone feels they will help.
18 Jul, 2008
Answers
Oh Robert, I feel for you and hope others are sharing the responsibility with you.
It may be helpful to have some photos, the tree has obviously been struggling but the reason may not be so obvious. Are there other plants nearby which are supporting the aphids and whitefly too, or that also have the white mildew? Could there be something that is giving the tree a hard time in the soil where it is growing, weakening it and making it more susceptible to infestation and /or disease?
19 Jul, 2008
Previous question
A few suggestions, aphids carry things like mildew and viruses. Is the plant waterlogged or too dry? liquify some garlic and wash tree this will deter aphids, check for ants they farm aphids. Compost mulch the tree to build up it's strength, even if all the leaves die it might shoot leaves again next year.Good luck.
18 Jul, 2008