Oak wilt fungus clogs the water-conducting tissues of infected trees, causing them to wilt and die. Oak wilt attacks live oak and red oak trees. It is a serious disease, having killed more than one million trees in central Texas. Unfortunately, Midland county is one of only six west Texas counties with confirmed cases of oak wilt, according to the Texas Forest Service.
Oak wilt in live oaks can be recognized by the leaf veins turning yellow or brown while the rest of the leaf remains green (see photo below). Leaf drop follows and trees die in two to four months. In red oaks, leaves will wilt or suddenly turn brown and hang on the tree. Infected trees generally die in two weeks.
Jerral Johnson - TAEX - 1995
The disease spreads by sap feeding beetles attracted to fresh wounds (pruning cuts, broken limbs, weedeater cuts, etc.) and through neighboring diseased root systems.
You can protect your oak trees by:
- Avoiding tree injuries, such as string trimmer (weedeater) cuts and lawn mower hits.
- Pruning only during the coldest or hottest time of the year. During these times, the activity of the disease-carrying beetle is at its lowest level.
- Painting all pruning cuts with a pruning paint sealer as soon as the cut is made.
- Sterilize or sanitize all pruning equipment between trees.
- Covering oak firewood with clear plastic sheeting and sealing the loose edges.
Infected trees can be treated if identified in time - when 30% or less of the tree is showing symptoms. Healthy trees within 150 feet of diseased trees can be treated with preventative measures.
Before treating, make sure the tree problem is properly identified. Don't assume a problem is oak wilt. Click here for information about treating oak wilt.
If you believe you have oak wilt, or if you want additional information, please call 432.498.4071 or 512.473.3517.
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