TEXAS, USA — Texas is famous for its oak trees with over 50 varieties found in the Lone Star State. Even the majestic mighty oak, which can live for hundreds of years, has a nemesis that could take it down in as little as one year.
We spoke with Wesley Rivers, an arborist from Treenewal, about oak wilt and how to prevent it.
First thing's first: What is oak wilt?
"Oak wilt is a deadly vascular disease that ultimately results in the death of a tree," warns Wesley.
The fungus clogs the vascular system and keeps water from reaching the tops of the oaks. This is spread by small sap beetles that feed on the sap through fresh wounds from freshly pruned trees or trees damaged by storms.
The beetles can pick up the spore from an infected tree and carry it to a uninfected tree. Trees can be infected in minutes after this happening.
The disease can also spread through nearby root grafts and improper pruning. Make sure a professional is pruning during the appropriate season with clean and disinfected tools.
How do you spot it?
"The first symptom you would see is in the leaves," says Wesley. There will be browning in the leaves along the veins and green in between.
You'll also notice the tree die back from the lack of water reaching the outer parts of its branches. Once you spot these, be sure to contact your arborist.
How do you treat and prevent it?
The best approach is a preventative approach. Avoid pruning from February through June when beetle's are active. If pruning has to be done, be sure to paint over it. That will keep the beetles away.
Always make sure that pruning equipment is sanitized.
If your oak tree happens to catch oak wilt, treatment will be necessary. This is done by drilling holes at the base of the tree in order to inject a fungicide into the tree trunk. The natural vascular process of the tree helps push the fungicide into the limbs of the oak.
It's important to treat the oak wilt in a timely matter so it doesn't spread onto other trees on your property. If goes untreated, the tree can die in the span of a year. If it's near your home, tree limbs can fall on your property.