Why are the 'Kings of the Great Plains' dying?

By Jackie Ourada

Published August 29, 2025 at 4:02 AM EDT

Drought in the middle of the country has opened the door for pests and pathogens that can kill trees. That's particularly true of a fungus that's decimating bur oak trees once known as the "King of the Great Plains."

Jackie Ourada

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

Thai court dismisses prime minister over compromising phone call with Cambodian leader

The Associated Press

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Friday dismissed Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her position as prime minister, ruling that as the country's leader she violated constitutional rules on ethics.
Off the Beaten Path with Sam Dick

A Danville man’s glass art legacy

Sam Dick

A feature about the work of Stephen Rolfe Powell
The Commonwealth

Berea College agrees to 'sick leave' policy for student workers

John McGary

The United Campus Workers of Berea is celebrating a policy change at Berea College that will allow undergraduates up to 10 hours of sick leave per semester.
NPR News

The Trump administration wants to build more roads through national forests

Nathan Rott

The Trump administration argues that rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule will help wildland firefighters. Fire researchers warn that more roads could exacerbate the problem.
NPR News

Contract breach or banditry? Inside the collapse of the Taliban's oil deal with China

Anthony Kuhn

Two years after the oil deal was signed, it collapsed — with the Taliban accusing the Chinese company of breaching the contract and some Chinese employees likening the Taliban's actions to robbery.