Erin Davis with the Texas A&M Forest Service provided the program on oak wilt in Texas. Erin graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Renewable Natural Resources and Forestry, and she provides information to land owners in Texas on how to identify and treat trees with signs of oak wilt.
Oak wilt is an infectious tree disease caused by a fungus, which can produce spores on red oaks that it has killed. All oaks are susceptible to this potentially deadly disease. These spores can be inadvertently spread by beetles feeding on the fungus. If these beetles land on a fresh wounds or pruning cuts on an uninfected oak, the spores may enter and infect a new tree.
This disease can also spread from tree to tree through the interconnected root systems. Trees as far away as 200 feet from each other may be at risk, and it can spread as much as 75' per year.
Early signs of oak wilt include trees losing their leaves and live oaks with yellow and brown leaf veins. Red oaks may die within 4-6 weeks, and live oaks die in 3-6 months.
You can reduce the risk of oak wilt by avoiding pruning oak trees between February 1 and June 30. Paint all oak wound and cuts, and sterilize tools between use with 10% bleach.
If your trees are affected or at risk, consult with an Oak Wilt Qualified Arborist. Treatment may include trenching and/or fungicide injections.
For more information, go to texasoakwilt.org. You may also contact Erin Davis at 830-792-8885, or edavis@efs.tamu.ed
