Oak Wilt Continues to Spread

Have you noticed oak trees suddenly thinning, browning and dropping their leaves in the middle of the summer? Unfortunately in recent years we’ve seen a rise on Long Island of something called oak wilt.

Oak wilt is a disease that is caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, which disrupts the tree's water-conducting vessels, leading to wilting, discoloration, and death of infected oaks. Trees affected by oak wilt decline and die very quickly once these symptoms are noticeable. As of now there are no real treatment options to save infected trees. Removing the trees before spreading the fungus further is the best option.

If you’re concerned about your oaks, contact us with a photo or send a sample to Cornell Cooperative for confirmation.