Oak Wilt - Symptoms, Transmission and What to Do

Oak wilt is a serious disease that has been found to affect oak trees in 21 states across the United States. Occurrences of oak wilt are abundant in Midwestern states, but the disease has also immensely affected areas of Central Texas including the Texas Hill Country.

Though members of the red oak family are most frequently and most quickly affected by oak wilt, all types of oaks as well as some other species of trees can be host to this disease. It is caused by a fungus called Ceratocystis fagacearum.

The fungus that causes oak wilt congests the systemic system of the tree. This translates into a tree that can not absorb water and nutrients. The tree wilts, hence the name, and eventually dies. The fungus can be easily spread between trees in one of two ways.

Transmission can occur through the roots of one tree to the roots of a neighboring tree. The spread of this fungus can cause devistation and tree loss over a large area if it is not contained properly. It can also be spread by insects. They are attracted to the sweet smell of the fungus. Spores from the fungus attach themselves to the body of the insect. The spores are then transported from tree to tree, infecting other trees in the area.

Oak wilt is a serious problem, especially in Texas where trees are sometimes in short supply. Because oak wilt stops a tree from getting water, it has the ability to kill certain species of oak trees in a very short time. Some oaks can only live about a month with oak wilt while others can survive up to a year, with very few living for a few years. The spread of oak wilt can have a devastating effect on an area’s tree supply.

It is important to be able to identify oak wilt, not only to try to save the tree, but other trees in the area. Oaks with oak wilt usually show the first signs in the leaves. The leaves will turn brown from the outer edge and have a distinct line between the green and brown areas. The leaf will sometimes curl inward on the line. The green leaves will start to look dull and the tree may shed a lot of leaves, including some green leaves.

The oak wilt symptoms can look a lot like drought symptoms, so it is very important to call a professional for your oak tree services in Texas. The Texas live oak and white oak can show very little to no symptoms and yet be a dangerous host to the disease. This is because the root systems of trees in Texas are shallow and far spread. The disease is easily spread from one tree to another because the roots are frequently in contact with other trees. Furthermore, these tree species produce nodules inside of their circulatory systems as they age to conserve water for more needy sections of the tree. This can help the tree to ward off the fungus and keep it from spreading to more than one or two areas of the tree. This is why the trees in Texas usually show fewer signs of oak wilt, can live longer with oak wilt than other species, and can be dangerous hosts of oak wilt when symptoms go undetected.

Austin and the surrounding area has more oak trees and more reported cases of oak wilt than any other section of Texas. If you suspect oak wilt, it is extremely important to call an Austin tree service provider and have a professional tackle the task of containing the fungus.

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Landscaping Gardening" article category.

People interested in the above article "Oak Wilt - Symptoms, Transmission and What to Do" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

 

High Tech Garden Tools

With the press of a button, the home gardener can receive the type of growing advice they might expect from their local botanist for the mere cost of $60. A more complex version, the Botanicalls runs for $100 and will send text alerts to your phone whenever your plants are in distress or getting thirsty.

Tips for Choosing your Paving Stones

Choosing paving stones for your garden, walkway or driveway is an important decision and requires a bit of research. There are many things to consider: color, style, size, base, material, etc. One of the best ways to choose your paving stones is to take a look at what other people have done or look through pictures to get some inspiration.

Growing Vegetable Plants From Seed

If you're planting a vegetable garden this year, why not start your plants from seed? Planting from seed is exponentially less expensive than purchasing young transplants from a nursery! In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know to grow your veggies from seed.

Garden Arbor and Pergola Designs

Arbors and pergolas are great elements to incorporate into a garden. Not only do they contribute to the overall design of the landscape, but they can also serve many utilitarian purposes as well. In this article, we'll discuss how you can design a garden arbor or pergola to meet your needs.

Vegetable Gardening in Small Spaces

If you are among the many Americans who want a vegetable garden but simply don't have the space, it's time to reconsider the way we plant vegetables. In this article, we'll explore vegetable gardening in containers for maximum harvests with minimum space.

Growing Your Best Tomatoes

Almost every home vegetable gardener makes room for at least a few tomato plants in their garden. After all, what is better than a homegrown tomato? In this article, we'll explain some tips and tricks to help you grow your best tomatoes ever!

Add Instant Appeal To Your Yard With A Pond

Building a pond in your backyard will create an instant focal point. The soothing sounds of water erupting from a fountain will be sure to help you relax. However, before you begin digging, there are a few things to keep in mind to create the absolute backyard oasis.