There are many problems that are happening to Garry Oaks. Some are natural, some are artificial, but whatever kind of problems they are, they still have to be dealt with.
The jumping gall wasp is causing most of the scorching of Garry Oaks currently visible throughout the CRD. It completes two
generations a year, one gamic, the other agamic. Trees damaged by the jumping gall wasp are readily identified by the abundance
of small galls (look like birdseed about 1-1.5 mm round) on the underside of their leaves. These galls fall to the ground in June/July
where they accumulate in immense numbers. The first generation of gall wasps, or the gamic generation, doesn't inflict very much
damage on the trees. But the agamic generation provides more visible signs of damage. On severly infested trees, a premature
defoliation of the tree is common, while on lightly infested trees, the leaves may only recieve chlorotic spotting of the leaves.
The gall wasps' damage is not likely to kill trees in the long run, but the trees do still suffer damage. Scientists are looking into the
problem at present.The best bets for controlling this wasp are its natural parasites which are on the increase, so don't use pesticides.
The oak leaf phylloxera is a small aphid like insect that causes midsummer scorching and defoliation. The tree will try to refoliate itself after defoliation, but after repeated years of doing so, its energy reserves will be drained and the tree will become weak. This aphid will eventually kill the tree if its cycle goes on too long. Scientists are also looking into
this problem--call up your municipality and let them know you have an aphid tree. Observe any birds or insects which prey on the aphid;
Natural predators are the best bet for controlling this insect. So, again, do not apply pesticides--you might wipe out the natural predators
which will do a far better job of controlling the aphid in the long run. Scorched, Garry oak trees can sometimes be mistaken for dead,
and sometimes are chopped down wile still alive. Gall wasps also scorch Garry oak trees.
The winter moth produces voracious larvae that eat Garry Oak leaves. Fortunately, there are two equally hungry insects that like winter moth larvae.
The acorn weevil and filbert worm consume much of the acorn crop. Small round emergence holes identify damaged acorns.
Agricultural and urban development has consumed much of the "existing" Garry oak ecosystems for the past 150 years. Over 95%
of the trees that were living in and around Victoria have been destroyed because of urban developmentThe area
that is now the urban center of Greater Victoria, once had several Garry oak meadows. Even constructing near oaks can cause their
death, though it be a slow one.
Many European plant species have invaded Garry oak meadows and habitats. One, important, intruder is the Scotch broom. It has
replaced the native plants and changed the soil nutrients, and severly altered the make-up of the eco-systems.
There are many reasons why you should save the Garry oaks. One, very important reason, is the fact that they are heritage. Many famouse people have written about them. Emily Carr said Easter lilies were, "the most delicately lovely of all flowers...(with a)...perfume like heavan and earth mixed." and the author Bruce Hutchison has also written about them. Some people have gone as far to sya that Garry oak groves should be protected to "serve the whole community's spiritual needs as well as for themselves and the spirit that they embody." A problem, though, is the fact that some sities that have Garry oak habitats in them, haven't included Garry oaks into the hertiage by-laws. This greatly upsets me and shows how little some people care for their heritage.
Garry oak meadows house a HUGE amount of native plants and animals to Victoria and BC. Over 1000 species are related to Garry oak meadows, and one fifth of BC's rare plant species are also related to Garry oak meadows.
Other trees, such as the Big Leaf maple, the Pacific dogwood, the Arbutus, and the Douglas fir, all live in Garry Oak meadows.
Many birds also live in, and in some cases require, the Garry oak meadows. They are the:
Many types of wildflowers bloom during different periods of the year.
Ferns and shrubs also grow in abundance. Some of the shrubs are red currant, ocean spray, mock orange, purple honeysuckle, thimbleberry, saskatoon berry, snowberry, nootka rose, Indian plum,
Several species of mammals and reptiles that live in Garry oak meadows, such as the garter snake.
| Go Home | Reason For Site | Sign Guestbook | View Guestbook | Garry Oaks' Problems | Dealing With The Problems | GOMPS |