Can You Diagnose Oak Wilt?
At Virginia Beach Tree Service Pros, we have years of experience diagnosing a long list of common tree diseases in and around coastal Virginia. One of the worst tree diseases is oak wilt. Oak wilt is an aggressive tree disease that affects many species of oak. The causal agent of oak wilt is the fungus Ceratocytis fagacearum. Symptoms vary by tree species, but generally consist of leaf discoloration, a wilting of foliage, defoliation, and tree mortality. The oak wilt fungus is spread by insects, or through root grafts. Oak wilt is responsible for killing thousands of oaks in forests, woodlots, and landscapes each year.
Oak wilt is one of the most common diseases that affect oak trees today. It is also one of the most devastating diseases because it affects the health and appearance oak trees - while also shortening their life spans. While shocking to learn, oak wilt can kill a tree within a few months after symptoms begin to set in. Typically, oak wilt is common in the central and eastern United States, where conditions are favorable for spore production and beetle activity in spring and early summer. The disease may also be observed in pockets of Texas throughout late fall and winter. There are many ways tree diseases can be spread, however, oak wilt is primarily transmitted through beetles or root grafting. Beetles can carry the fungus from one tree to the next, while underground roots of an infected oak tree can share water and nutrient lines with the root system of a nearby tree. This also spreads the fungus. Once an oak tree is dead from the disease, it is no longer transmittable, unless it is a Red oak. Red oak trees should be properly burned and disposed to prevent further outbreaks. Certain species of oaks are not likely to die from oak wilt, including Post oaks, chinquapins, and bur oaks. The most common treatment for oak wilt is a series of bimonthly fungicide injections called Propiconazole. This fungicide is applied through macro-injection of the root flares. This application technique generally gives the best results, however, the fungicide treatment does not guarantee the tree’s survival. Because oak wilt can spread through the root system, you should remove infected trees from your property. Hiring a professional is best for the removal of these trees because proper handling is essential to prevent the fungus from spreading to other areas of your landscape. Propiconazole fungicide treatments are also effective methods of oak wilt prevention. It’s important that you contact our team at Virginia Beach Tree Service Pros to talk about your options when it comes to oak wilt prevention. |
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