One of the greatest losses that a homeowner can experience is the loss of a tree. The hypoxylon canker fungus infects most species of oaks in many states in the US. It is known that trees that have been stressed or weakened by drought or have had their root systems injured are much more susceptible to this disease than healthy trees. When trees are weakened, particularly by drought, or injured, the disease is capable of overcoming resistance of the host, and the tree dies. There is no effective control for this disease, which is due in part to lack of recognition of the early stages of infection. In a home setting, individual trees that have more than 15% of the crown area infected should be cut to ground level. Trees with less damage should be given extra care, such as watering during periods of drought, providing adequate fertilization and preventing damage to trunks or roots.