Prompt Diagnosis is Key in Preventing Loss
A Rainbow Treecare ISA Certified Arborist can accurately identify Oak Wilt symptoms and set up a plan for your tree.
- The primary symptom of oak wilt is the wilting of leaves and defoliation. Browning begins on the margin of the leaf and moves inward, and there is a distinct line between dead tissue and living tissue. Leaves normally fall before they have completely browned. In red and pin oaks, wilting progresses from the top of the canopy downward, while in white and bur oaks the wilting may occur on branches scattered throughout the tree.
- Streaking of the sapwood, beneath the bark, is a sign of the defense response of the tree, and provides further evidence of oak wilt.
- An additional sign of the disease is the presence of fungal spore mats on red and pin oaks. These spore mats split the bark open and attract insects with their fruity odor.
