04/19/2026
⚠️ Oak Wilt Alert for Our Area ⚠️
We want to give everyone a heads-up about oak wilt, a serious tree disease that may begin showing up in our region. It can spread quickly and has the potential to kill healthy oak trees in a short time if not caught early.
🌳 What is Oak Wilt?
Oak wilt is a fungal disease (caused by Bretziella fagacearum) that blocks water movement inside oak trees. Once infected, trees can decline rapidly—especially red oaks.
👀 What to Look For
Keep an eye on your oak trees for these warning signs:
• Leaves turning dull green, bronze, or brown starting at the edges
• Wilting or dropping leaves in the middle of summer
• Leaves falling while still partially green
• Rapid decline (sometimes within weeks for red oaks)
• White or gray fungal mats under the bark (less common but a strong indicator)
⚠️ Why It Matters
Oak wilt spreads in two main ways:
• Underground through root systems between nearby trees
• Above ground via beetles attracted to fresh cuts or wounds on trees
🛑 How to Prevent It
• Avoid pruning or damaging oak trees during the growing season (spring through mid-summer)
• Immediately seal any accidental wounds with tree paint or wound dressing
• Do not move firewood from unknown sources—it can carry the disease
🌿 What to Expect if It Appears
If oak wilt enters an area:
• Red oaks may die very quickly (sometimes within weeks)
• White oaks may decline more slowly over several years
• Nearby oaks can become infected through root connections
🧪 Treatment & Management
• Early detection is critical
• Professional treatment may include fungicide injections (such as propiconazole)
• Root trenching may be used to stop underground spread
• Infected trees often need to be removed to protect others
📞 What You Should Do
If you suspect oak wilt:
• Contact a certified arborist immediately
• Do not prune or cut the tree until it’s been assessed
• Mark the tree and monitor nearby oaks closely
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Protecting our trees starts with awareness. If you have questions or would like an inspection, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help keep our community’s landscape healthy and thriving. 🌳
