In the lush landscapes of Buffalo-Niagara, oak trees stand as timeless sentinels, providing shade, beauty, and ecological balance to our homes, parks, and communities. But a silent threat looms: oak wilt disease, a devastating fungal infection that’s already claimed millions of oaks across the Midwest and is inching closer to Western New York.
As a dedicated provider of oak tree service and oak tree care, Saving Oaks is on the front lines, helping homeowners and property managers in Erie and Niagara Counties protect their prized trees. We don’t cut oak trees down — we try to save them! With proactive strategies and cutting-edge treatments, we’re committed to preserving the majestic oaks that define our Buffalo-Niagara region.
If you’ve noticed wilting leaves or unexplained browning on your oaks, you’re not alone. Oak wilt, caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum, spreads rapidly through root grafts, sap-feeding beetles, and contaminated tools or firewood. Red oaks succumb in as little as four to six weeks, while even resilient white oaks can suffer long-term damage. In Buffalo-Niagara, where dense urban forests meet rural woodlands, the risk is heightened by our proximity to confirmed cases in Southern Ontario — just across the Niagara River.
But here’s the good news: Early intervention through professional oak tree care can prevent catastrophe. At Saving Oaks, our oak tree service focuses on vaccination injections that deliver systemic fungicides directly into the tree’s vascular system, offering up to two to three years of robust protection.
Why Oak Tree Care Matters More Than Ever in Buffalo-Niagara
The Buffalo-Niagara area’s unique microclimate — mild summers, snowy winters, and fertile soils — makes it a haven for oaks, from towering northern red oaks in Lewiston and Youngstown, to stately white oaks lining the streets of Niagara Falls and Buffalo. These trees aren’t just aesthetic assets; they boost property values by up to 20%, reduce energy bills through natural cooling, and support local wildlife.
Yet, as recent announcements from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) highlight, oak wilt is expanding eastward. Infections in Niagara-on-the-Lake served as a stark warning for our region.
Our family-owned business, Saving Oaks, understands these stakes intimately. We are a state DEC licensed and registered family-owned business that specializes in oak tree care and services in the Buffalo-Niagara region. Founded on a passion for arboriculture and sustainability, we’ve vaccinated hundreds of high-valued oaks across Niagara and Erie Counties, including Grand Island, North Tonawanda, Amherst, Tonawanda, and Buffalo proper. Unlike traditional tree services that default to removal, our philosophy is preservation-first. We employ the latest in tree injection technology — precise, environmentally safe methods that minimize soil disruption and maximize efficacy. No sprays, no guesswork—just targeted defense against the fungus that clogs a tree’s water-conducting vessels.
Recent blogs and updates on our site underscore the urgency. For instance, our August 2025 post on “Protecting Your Oak Trees from Oak Wilt in Western New York” details how sap beetles thrive in spring wounds, turning minor prunes into infection gateways. Similarly, our March analysis of “How Oak Wilt Spreads” reveals root graft dangers in clustered plantings, common in Buffalo-Niagara subdivisions. These insights aren’t theoretical — they’re drawn from collaborations with Cornell Cooperative Extension and state forestry experts, ensuring our oak tree service aligns with the latest science.
Essential Tips for Superior Oak Tree Care on Your Buffalo-Niagara Property
Empowering you with knowledge is core to our oak tree care approach. Here are proven strategies to fortify your oaks against wilt, tailored for Buffalo-Niagara’s seasonal rhythms:
• Prune Timely and Wisely: Never prune from April to July— that’s peak beetle season. Stick to the dormant window (November to February) to avoid attracting vectors. If storms strike, seal fresh wounds immediately with latex paint or a commercial wound dressing.
• Break the Chain of Spread: Root grafts can transmit the fungus up to 100 feet annually. In high-risk areas like Wheatfield or Lockport, consider trenching 100 feet from infected trees. Always source firewood locally and burn it on-site to prevent accidental transport.
• Monitor for Early Signs: Watch for leaves browning from the outside edges and working inward, with leaves falling from the top of the tree first. Or you may smell a sweet, fruity odor from bark slits — hallmarks of fungal mats. Snap a photo and text it to us at 716-273-5522 for a free preliminary assessment.
• Vaccinating Your Trees is Less Expensive than Cutting Them Down: Our flagship oak tree service — specially formulated fungicide injections — costs just $14 per inch of trunk diameter (measured at 4 feet above the ground). A 20-inch oak? That’s $280, with multi-tree discounts bringing it lower. Compare that to thousands for removal and replanting. Treatments are applied during the growing season for optimal uptake, providing a protective barrier that outlasts surface applications. Vaccinations provide protection and stay effective for 2-3 years depending on the threat level in the future.
These tips, echoed in our February 2025 announcement “Buffalo, NY, Oak Trees Threatened by Oak Wilt Disease,” have helped clients avoid potential losses.
The Future of Oak Tree Service: Innovation Meets Tradition in Buffalo-Niagara
As oak wilt becomes more of a threat, we’re being pro-active, doing our best to be innovative and to get the word out. Since diseases like oak wilt are fatal, prevention is the key. Our latest news highlights partnerships with regional arborists, educating on susceptibility differences: fast-growing red oaks (Red, Pin, Black, Scarlet) versus slower, tougher white varieties (Bur, Swamp, White). We’re also expanding eco-friendly options, like bio-based sealants, to complement vaccinations.
What sets our oak tree care apart? It’s personal for us. The “roots” of our family business started because of the concern we had for a magnificent 180 year old red oak tree that stands tall and proud in our backyard. As a family operation rooted in Western New York, we treat every tree like our own. We’ve seen the heartbreak of ash borer devastation and refuse to let history repeat with oaks. Our licensed technicians undergo rigorous training, ensuring every injection is precise and pain-free for your trees.
If your oak tree’s health is important to you, and you want to protect it with the best technology available, give us a call at 716-273-5522 today for a no-obligation consultation. Whether you’re in the bustling heart of Buffalo or the serene shores of Lake Ontario in Olcott, our team serves the entire Buffalo-Niagara expanse.
In Buffalo-Niagara, oaks aren’t just trees — they’re legacies. Don’t wait for symptoms. Partner with Saving Oaks for unmatched oak tree service and oak tree care. Together, we’ll keep our canopies thriving, one injection at a time. Healthy Oaks, Happy Folks!
