Bur Oak Blight

Have you noticed purple-brown spots on leaves, black pustules on petioles, or leaves dying on bur oak trees recently? You may have seen a bur oak blight infection. Bur oak blight (BOB) is a serious fungal disease that affects certain types of bur oak trees. It was originally observed in southern Minnesota, southwest Wisconsin, eastern Nebraska, and Iowa in the mid-1990s and was first reported in Illinois in 2012.
 
The earliest symptoms of BOB appear in June and July as purple-brown spots on the underside of leaves. The spots gradually expand and purplish necrotic veins become noticeable on the lower and upper sides of the leaves. The most notable symptoms appear in August and September as leaf veins die, wedge-shaped necrotic areas develop, and black pimple-like bodies appear on petioles (the stalk connecting a leaf to a branch). Diseased leaves and petioles remain attached to the tree throughout winter, which allow the fungus to reproduce again the following spring and infect new leaves. After several years of severe infection, BOB may predispose the tree to other problems, such as Armillaria root rot and two-lined chestnut borer, and eventually kill it.
 
The Public Works Department Forestry Division has noticed an increase in cases here in Palatine. Forestry crews have been inspecting bur oaks in the parkways and monitoring them as infections are discovered. Propiconazole, a fungicide, is being used to treat diseased parkway trees and preserve our urban forest.
 
Residents are encouraged to inspect bur oaks on their private property for signs of BOB. If you suspect your bur oak may be affected, contact a local certified arborist or plant health care specialist to assist in the diagnosis and treatment. The Morton Arboretum’s Plant Clinic also offers assistance with identifying pests and diseases. Visit the Morton Arboretum’s website for more information on bur oak blight or click here to learn about their Plant Clinic services. A short publication produced by the USDA Forest Service may also be downloaded for free here.
 
For further information, call the Public Works Department Forestry Division at (847) 705-5200.

Celebrate National Farmers Market Week

The Palatine Farmers' Market is celebrating National Farmers Market Week Saturday, August 7th, from 7:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Come to the Farmers' Market Booth to plant a variety of microgreen seeds to take home as your gift for supporting the Farmers' Market.

Learn about these superfoods, their flavors, uses and benefits from the University of Illinois Master Gardeners and from local farmer Dan Pilguy of Arlington Crest Farms in Palatine, who is supplying containers, planting medium and seeds.

Microgreens sprout fast and will be ready to eat in one week.  Packed with flavor, nutrients, and antioxidants, microgreens are much more powerful nutritionally than their mature broccoli, radish, pea and sunflower shoots.

The Palatine Farmers' Market is located at the Palatine Train Station (Smith and Wood Streets).

COVID-19 Vaccine Information & Websites

Suburban Cook County is now offering vaccines to all residents age 12+.  

Appointments for individuals can be scheduled at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov. Individuals without internet access or who need assistance scheduling can call (833) 308-1988 (from 7a.m. to 7p.m., Monday - Friday). Cook County Health will only offer appointment slots based on the amount of vaccine on hand and will add appointments as new vaccine shipments arrive.

The State of Illinois also has a portal on coronavirus.illinois.gov to provide residents the ability to search for local COVID-19 vaccine locations, information on how to make
an appointment, updates on the State's plan and eligibility, and answers to frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.