Per the Ohio Department of Agrigulture Oak wilt is caused by the fungal pathogen, Bretziella fagacearum (formerly Ceratocystis fagacearum) Oak wilt is an aggressive disease that affects many species of oak and chestnut trees. It is one of the most serious tree diseases in the eastern United States, killing thousands of trees each year in forests, woodlots, and home landscapes. Oak wilt has also been detected throughout Ohio.
Pathogen—Oak wilt is caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum. This disease also occurs in Kansas, Nebraska,
and South Dakota.
Vectors—Beetles in the Nitidulidae family and oak bark beetles (Pseudopityophthorus spp.) can transmit the
fungus.
Hosts—Oak wilt is a disease of oak species. Species in the red oak group die more quickly than species in the
white oak group.
Oak wilt is a serious and often deadly vascular disease of oaks. The fungal pathogen, Bretziella fagacearum (formerly Ceratocystis fagacearum), is known to occur in North America, but its origin is currently unknown. The pathogen is distributed throughout the Midwest and Texas. Over the years, and with variable frequency, it has been reported from the majority of the 88 Ohio counties.
What the Pathogen Does
The fungus grows into and throughout the water conductive tissues (that is, the sap wood) of the host. The fungus plugs the vessels with its own body (mycelium) and spores, but it also causes a defensive reaction by the tree to stop the fungal spread by actively plugging its own vessels. These processes interfere with water uptake and cause a wilting syndrome which often results in death of the tree.
Chemical Treatments
Chemical treatments are usually not warranted, due to the high cost of intervention. However, application of systemic fungicides is an option when highly valuable trees are threatened by infected neighbors, or whenever a high risk of infection exists.
Learn more about Oak Wilt Disease and how to prevent it. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-tree-02
Give us a call or contact us online if you suspect your tree(s) have been infected. We’ll be glad to inspect your trees and offer treatment options. Plant health care is very important to all the trees surrounding a diseased tree. Be sure to ask us about plant health care. https://www.helpfortrees.com/
