oak wilt recap
Cindy Decker
Hi, all,
For those who couldn't attend, here's a quick and dirty summary of the oak wilt information given by arborist Tim Ascher last night.
Oak wilt is a fast-acting, potentially fatal fungal disease affecting both red and white oaks.
It moves between trees in two ways: The pathogen can be carried by beetles seeking the sweet sap that flows from cuts after injury to the tree, or it can spread by intertwined roots.
The fungus kills by interrupting the tree's vascular layer, or how the tree feeds itself and moves water. Think of the human body's circulatory system; we can't live it if doesn't function properly.
White oaks generally don't die as quickly, but red oaks might die within a matter of weeks after infection. (White oaks, rounded leaf tips. Red oaks, pointy leaves.)
The best way to prevent oak wilt is to prune only in winter when the tree is dormant.
If a tree sustains an injury in a storm or suffers some other cut during the growing season, the wound can be sealed with a latex paint, even though this kind of wound closure generally is usually not recommended any more. But the sealing will prevent the sap from attracting the beetle.
Trees can be treated proactively to protect them. That involves drilling small holes (in Ascher's system 3/8ths inch), and letting the tree take up a fungicide. The treatment he uses lasts two growing cycles, meaning that a tree treated in fall 2026 wouldn't need treatment again until 2028. (There are several treatment options out there; I'm giving info on his only. Others use larger drills, for example.)
Ascher said treatment probably wouldn't need to be done indefinitely; drilling regularly is injury to the tree, too, and carries risks. It might be something done only as long as oak wilt is active in an area.
In Walhalla, oak wilt IS active now.
In an area where an oak has died from oak wilt, it it not advised to plant another oak because pathogens are in the area.
Tim gave a lot of other info on moving of wood and such but I'm giving you the high points.
As always, I advise having a relationship with a certified arborist who looks at your trees yearly. Whether it's oak wilt of some other tree illness, an arborist familiar with your lot will notice changes. Some issues can be avoided with a yearly look.
Thanks to Dave and Mary Jones, who, let us use their lovely deck for the meeting. Unfortunately, they know oak wilt a bit too personally.
Cindy
Jason V. Advani
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Ryan, Patricia
Sent: Thursday, 06 August 2026 19:05:02
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Subject: [External Email] [Walhalla] oak wilt recap