Oak Wilt: What You Need To Know

Oak Wilt is an exotic, invasive, lethal, fungal disease that effects Red and White Oak trees.  It clogs the water conducting vessels of the Oak trees that are infected.  They then wilt and die.

Red Oaks are more susceptible and will die in 3 weeks or less once they are infected.  White Oaks can live for years after infected.  Currently there is no known cure.  Once a tree is infected it will eventually die.  Through confirmation of the disease and when proper measures are taken healthy Oaks can be spared.

The symptoms of Oak Wilt are:

1.  In June, July, or August the top leaves of the tree discolor to a dull olive green.

2.  The leaves then wilt from the top of the tree down.  Other leaves turn brown or bronze color.

3.  The leaves fall off the tree quickly. Within weeks the tree will be bare.

The best way to prevent Oak Wilt is to prune your Oak trees in late fall or early winter.  If you think you have an infected tree please contact www.michiganoakwilt.org.  It is important to prevent the spread of Oak Wilt to healthy trees.