The oldest bur oak tree in the state of Nebraska has died after living for more then 300 years
PONCA, Neb. (KCAU) — Nebraska Game & Parks confirmed that the 'Old Wolf Oak' at Ponca State Park, a tree that is believed to be more than 300 years old, has died.
'You start seeing pathogens within the tree of fungal infestations, and that's what we can see on this tree behind me,' said Richard Wahmeyer, the horticulturalist for the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. 'Fungal matters from Hypoxylon Canker, which [was] ultimately what killed this tree behind me.'
Hypoxylon Canker is a type of fungus that can kill trees, and Wahmeyer says he's starting to see it on other trees in the park.
'Just within this area, I can see elm and ash trees that have also perished due to the Hypoxylon Canker,' said Wahmeyer. 'So the canker is not species dependent. It will attack or infest other species of tree.'
Story continues below
Top Story: Sac County Sheriff: Man assaulted jail staff, attempted escape
Lights & Sirens: Suspect shot at during pursuit in stolen vehicle, Dakota Co Sheriff says
Sports: West Sioux boys soccer wins first-ever IHSAA State title with 2-1 OT win
Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here
Due to that threat, Wahmeyer is working to stop the spread by removing the trees around the old oak that are affected.
'Right now, we're working with the best information that we have at hand,' Richard said. 'And, so we are working towards removing this, the material that essentially is going to act as just a breeding ground for this canker, so we can get a handle on what we can potentially control.'
Currently, the park has no plans to remove the old oak, primarily for a sentimental reason.
'This was a highly treasured and celebrated visited tree,' Wahmeyer expressed. 'We want to continue to celebrate its life. So we're going to leave it standing.'
But if it continues to affect the forest, they will have to remove it.
'And if that happens, we will still try to utilize or salvage material from the tree. So it has, you know, a second life here in the park,' Wahmeyer said.
Due to the brittle tree, Wahmeyer encourages folks not to climb the tree to prevent any injuries.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
The oldest bur oak tree in the state of Nebraska has died after living for more then 300 years
PONCA, Neb. (KCAU) — Nebraska Game & Parks confirmed that the 'Old Wolf Oak' at Ponca State Park, a tree that is believed to be more than 300 years old, has died. 'You start seeing pathogens within the tree of fungal infestations, and that's what we can see on this tree behind me,' said Richard Wahmeyer, the horticulturalist for the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. 'Fungal matters from Hypoxylon Canker, which [was] ultimately what killed this tree behind me.' Hypoxylon Canker is a type of fungus that can kill trees, and Wahmeyer says he's starting to see it on other trees in the park. 'Just within this area, I can see elm and ash trees that have also perished due to the Hypoxylon Canker,' said Wahmeyer. 'So the canker is not species dependent. It will attack or infest other species of tree.' Story continues below Top Story: Sac County Sheriff: Man assaulted jail staff, attempted escape Lights & Sirens: Suspect shot at during pursuit in stolen vehicle, Dakota Co Sheriff says Sports: West Sioux boys soccer wins first-ever IHSAA State title with 2-1 OT win Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here Due to that threat, Wahmeyer is working to stop the spread by removing the trees around the old oak that are affected. 'Right now, we're working with the best information that we have at hand,' Richard said. 'And, so we are working towards removing this, the material that essentially is going to act as just a breeding ground for this canker, so we can get a handle on what we can potentially control.' Currently, the park has no plans to remove the old oak, primarily for a sentimental reason. 'This was a highly treasured and celebrated visited tree,' Wahmeyer expressed. 'We want to continue to celebrate its life. So we're going to leave it standing.' But if it continues to affect the forest, they will have to remove it. 'And if that happens, we will still try to utilize or salvage material from the tree. So it has, you know, a second life here in the park,' Wahmeyer said. Due to the brittle tree, Wahmeyer encourages folks not to climb the tree to prevent any injuries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Father's Day Forecast: Hot & Mostly Dry
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — This Sunday, June 15, is Father's Day. And if you're planning celebrations or maybe a cookout, it's looking dry. However, it's also looking hot. Highs at just under a week out look to be in the upper 80s and even potentially the low 90s. Going to be a hot one, so plan to take plenty of breaks in the air conditioning and stay hydrated! The good news, though, rain and storm chances remain minimal at this point, so it should be great weather to cool off in the pool or take a dip in the lake. A non-zero shower/storm chance, though, as we see the potential of an isolated shower/storm or two by the afternoon/evening hours. Not looking widespread, and most areas remain rain-free. Be sure to check back with the KCAU 9 weather team throughout the week for the latest updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Mud, rain & lightning: CCMF bracing for Myrtle Beach weather. Here's what to expect
Carolina Country Music Festival (CCMF) fans preparing for a weekend out in their chicest shoes may want to reconsider. With rainy conditions expected through the weekend, the festival is preparing for muddy grounds. 'We're thinking it's more of a Crocs and flip flops weekend!' the City of Myrtle Beach wrote on Facebook. On Thursday afternoon, the city's Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism Department spread mulch to level festival grounds and soak up this weekend's rain. Beyond the preventative mulch, CCMF has a mixture of sand and gravel on hand to remedy muddy conditions throughout the weekend. While some rain might put a damper on some of the festival excitement, inclement weather could hold up the festivities. According to a city spokesperson, if lightning strikes within 8 miles of CCMF, the venue has to be cleared for 30 minutes. In addition to on-site announcements, attendees can stay up to date on announcements and weather alerts through the CCMF app. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts the area will likely see showers and thunderstorms Thursday night. Mostly cloudy with a low around 71 degrees Fahrenheit, there's a 60% chance of precipitation. The CCMF grounds may be muddy Friday, but chances of precipitation are low. Festivalgoers can expect a high near 85 F and mostly cloudy skies as the sun gradually comes out through the day. At night temperatures could drop to around 74 F. Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 89, though there's a 40% chance of precipitation. If there are showers and thunderstorms, they'll likely come after 2 p.m. and continue through the night. Temperatures at night are expected around 74 F with a 50% chance of rain. Showers and thunderstorms will likely return on Sunday, mostly after 2 p.m. During the day the high will be around 87 F with a 70% chance of precipitation. At night the chance of precipitation falls to 60% with a low around 73 F. The latest NWS forecast is available here.
