Oak wilt – showing it’s ugly face

June 5, 2009

Fortunately and unfortunately it is that time of the year….the days are longer and NO RAIN plus it is getting HOT. In the recent weeks I have noticed the office getting flooded with calls for sick live oaks. Our trees are in much need of rain to replenish the moisture in the soil (or in some cases the caliche) for the trees to uptake. Transpiration rates are on the rise too. What does that mean for our trees? Stress and healthy looking trees declining rapidly!

The trees are already stressed for water and once oak wilt symptoms appear, the trees are dropping leaves and dying within a few weeks (some even faster). It seems like the trees are “drying up” over night at times. Trees showing symptoms are not salvageable this time of the year in my opinion, the demand for water and an infected trees ability to absorb water and nutrients make this task pretty much impossible.

If you have a tree that is looking sick contact us immediately! Look for signs of oak wilt on the ground below the tree. Not sure how to ID oak wilt look for leaves expressing venial necrosis (see website for pictures or visit www.texasoakwilt.org) the classic sign of oak wilt in our live oaks. Trees within 100-120 feet of an infected tree should be treated with ALAMO as quickly as possible. Give us a call we give FREE estimates or shoot us a quick email using or contact us form! WE ARE HERE TO HELP!!!

Lee Evans
President – Certified Arbor Care
ISA Certified Arborist TX-1339A
Texas Oak Wilt Certified TOWC-0024