Oak – Cicada damage

Q: I was in North Georgia last weekend and noticed there are many huge oaks with dying leaves at the tips of the branches. I hope this is not some new blight affecting these beautiful trees. Do you have any information about this?

A: I believe this is the after-effects of the seventeen-year cicadas which emerged in June. Female insects inserted their eggs into tip branches. This damage often causes the small branch to die. Fortunately, since it only happens every seventeen years, it does no long-term harm to the trees.