Call us: 716-754-8414
Saving high-valued oak trees from the ravages of oak wilt disease in Niagara County and Erie County, New York
Prevention is the key. Your best option is to have your oaks professionally vaccinated (injected) to minimize the threat of oak wilt disease. Otherwise, you may be faced with greater expenses cutting down and removing the trees after they they have been killed by the fungus. If you have a valued oak tree, or a grove of trees that you want to save, get your name on the reservation list and make arrangements to protect your trees.
You may recall that thousands of ash trees have been killed over the past few years because of the emerald ash borer. Oak trees will be facing the same fate with the oak wilt fungus. Make plans to save your oaks today.
Oak Wilt Disease Is About To Invade Western New York
What You Need to Know
Oak wilt disease is widespread and has already wiped out hundreds of thousands of oak trees, particularly in the Midwest. Looking at the spread and trajectory of the disease, Western New York is next in line to feel its effect.
There are a few important things you should know about oak wilt disease
1) The best way to reduce oak tree mortality is to vaccinate the tree with fungicide which acts as a preventive.
2) Once infected, there is nearly a 100% mortality rate for red oaks. The death timeline varies, from several weeks to months. White oaks are more resistant and symptomatic white oaks have a chance of surviving with fungicide treatment.
3) The culprit is a fungus called Bretziella fagacearum, which blocks the tree's vascular system, preventing water and nutrients from reaching the leaves. It is spread by various kinds of sap beetles, intermingled oak root systems, or workers transmitting the fungus on their tools. DO NOT prune your oak trees during the growing season. Only prune from October to March.
4) You can vaccinate your oak trees by injecting them with fungicide. Fungicide needs to be injected once every 2 years.
5) A major problem: Firewood! Transporting infected firewood from one location to another spreads the oak wilt pathogen.