Oak tree?

[TexaRican]

Woman walking down my sidewalk this morning asked me if I knew this was a disease that would smother and kill my tree. Neighbor's trees also have it on both sides and she said treatment would do no good unless they treat too. Didn't know the name of it but seemed really concerned that I call a tree expert ASAP. Hmm.

[Bluesman]

I sprayed mine with insecticide from a hose thing.
The bugs or worms went away just fine.
I was told the tree would die otherwise. Fact? I don't know. It ain't dead.

[SneakyPhil]

I have them on mine. I don't think it will kill the tree. I think it's caused by a caterpillar. We used to get something similar back in south Texas. Was ugly as the caterpillars would eat some of the leaves and spin the silk but wouldn't kill the tree.

I am new to oak trees though.

[mmoses]

That looks like barklice.

If so it wont harm the tree.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-21_barklice.htm

[Robertt]

Pretty sure that is Bark Lice. They feed on aphids and other things as they clean the bark. They are beneficial and won't kill the tree.

[MySRT8U]

There is a slight chance it could be hypoxylon canker fungus. If it is, there isn't any treatment. Has it lost foliage earlier than the other trees?

[cwbow]

Are you sure its bad for the tree?

[Big Todd]

web worms. wont kill the tree but will make them ugly for a while. spray it with some demon and it will will them.

[Deathrow Jethro]

That looks like barklice.

If so it wont harm the tree.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/g...1_barklice.htm

Pretty sure that is Bark Lice. They feed on aphids and other things as they clean the bark. They are beneficial and won't kill the tree.

This is what I was told by the man that sprays my Oaks for Asp's.

[E.TX.BOWHUNTER]

Bark lice are beneficial.

[SwampRabbit]

We've had that on one of our oaks for going on 2 years now. Hasn't seemed to kill ours. In fact, we still have the best trees in our neighborhood.

She probably read it off Pinterest.

[SaltwaterSlick]

As others have said, that is bark lice or (louse). They are beneficial to your trees. The "worms" referred to are caterpillars that attack the foliage. These bark louse are bugs that feed on harmful insects to your tree. Once they've got the bark cleaned up on your tree, they will move on and look for another tree to clean up. One good rain shower after they have left and the web will be gone... tree will be healthier. No need to treat them to kill them.

[TexaRican]

She probably read it off Pinterest.

Classic.

I almost asked her if she thought my tree needed a hug but I decided to be nice.

Thanks for the replies everybody.

[Tyler's Outdoor]

I really don't see how that lady could see that as a disease. Considering that diseases are caused by microorganisms and the structure on the bark of the tree is much larger than any microorganism, it really doesn't make much sense to me. Clearly an insect spun some sort of web on the surface of the bark.