Oak wilt is a disease that affects the oak tree. It’s highly deadly for oak trees and is important to know about.
Summary: Oak Wilt is a very destructive tree disease that mostly affects Red and Live Oak Trees.
Oak wilt can be found in oak trees all over North America, and it’s caused by a fungus called Ceratocystis fagacearum. The fungus lives in the soil, and it spreads through water that flows through the ground near infected trees. That means that if your yard has been treated with pesticides or herbicides, you may have to worry about oak wilt as well as other diseases like phytophthora root rot or fire blight (which affects apples and pears).
If you’re worried about oak wilt, there are several symptoms you should watch out for:
- Yellowing leaves on one side of the tree.
- Bark cracking at the base of branches or around roots.
- Browning leaves on one side of the tree.
- Branches dying back in summer or fall (in winter, this could mean an infestation of aphids or scale insects).
What is Oak Wilt?
Oak Wilt stops the tree’s vascular system from dispersing nutrients and water throughout the tree’s branches and leaves; therefore, it is of utmost importance to contact an experienced arbor care company with an ISA Certified Arborist and plant pathologist immediately when your tree begins to exhibit a weak, unhealthy appearance. Visible signs that you should watch for include premature defoliation and a thinning of the tree’s canopy.
Red oak trees will develop an overall reddish appearance to their leaves. The common discoloration of the infected foliage can range from yellow to brownish tones. If you notice these discolorations, don’t hesitate to contact the best arborist and tree company and request a diagnostic evaluation. Laboratory testing is necessary to confirm the tree disease. Call us today at (817) 799-7808 if you suspect your prized oak is infected!
Common Oak Wilt Symptoms
- Discoloration of Foliage (leaves)
- Curled or wilted leaves
- Complete leaf drop often occurs by mid-summer
- Dead crowns
- Looks almost dead
How To Identify Oak Wilt
How Does Oak Wilt Spread?
Oak wilt is a highly infectious fungal tree destroyer. It spreads rapidly throughout your residential grounds utilizing insect activity or from the root systems of infected trees in close vicinity and entangling each other. Oak wilt spreads quickly, and infected trees can die within several months or less. This deadly tree disease is responsible for destroying over one million stately oak trees throughout Fort Worth, Texas, the DFW metroplex, and North and Central Texas.
We cannot stress enough how critical it is that you contact us at (817) 799-7808 and request that our ISA Certified Arborist and plant pathologist evaluate the health of your oak tree! If your tree is infected, there is no time to lose!
Is it Treatable?
Oak Wilt can be combated by using tree injections to boost the tree’s immune system, also known as “CODIT” or “compartmentalization of decay in trees.”
What is the Mortality Rate?
About 85% of Red and Live Oaks die from Oak Wilt if not treated in time.
Want To Talk To A Certified Arborist?
Do you have more questions about your oak tree? Do you have oak wilt on the trees on your property? Do you have Tree Disease on your property in Texas? Call us today at (817) 799-7808 to talk to our Tree Care Experts.
North Texas Tree Care
As a North Texas-based tree care company, Oakwilt.org does more than just provide industry-leading tree care, we’re here to serve our beloved community. By giving our North Texas trees proper care and maintenance through routine tree check-ups and treating them for oak wilt when necessary, we can promote a greener, more sustainable North Texas community. For help with tree disease treatment and tree nutrition, tree care and tree insect management, soil conditioning, and more, contact our ISA Certified Arborists to get started.
Oakwilt.org is a full-service sustainable tree care company offering residential and commercial tree services in Dallas, Waco, Austin, Fort Worth, San Marcos, San Antonio, DFW, and more. Contact our North Texas tree care experts at (817) 799-7808 and enjoy 5-star rated tree care customer service and the best tree health services in North Texas!
To learn more about North Texas Tree Diseases: Actinopelte Leaf Spot, Anthracnose, Bacterial Leaf Scorch, Crown Gall, Dutch Elm Disease, Hypoxylon Canker, Oak Leaf Blister, Oak Wilt, Rapid Oak Decline, Sudden Oak Death, call our North Texas team of Arborist
at (817) 799-7808 or fill out the contact form.
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