Oak wilt weakens white oak trees and kills red oaks within weeks of infection. Bacterial leaf scorch is a chronic disease that worsens over several years. Both diseases spread to nearby oaks.

The diseases are particularly severe on American sycamore, the white oak group, black walnut, and dogwood. The greatest impact of anthracnose is in urban environments.

Symptoms on white oak trees can be confused with other insect or disease problems. Oak wilt can be spread in two modes: over land by sap-feeding nitidulid beetles or underground through root grafts.

Oak trees with wounds in their bark are susceptible to the disease, which can weaken white oaks and kill red oaks within a few weeks. “Oak trees should not be pruned between April 15 and July 15.

The next potential threat facing Niagara County’s trees could make the jump from across the border. Trees in Canada’s Niagara Region have been infected with oak wilt, a fungal disease that means ...

Gardening; How pruning an oak tree at the right time can head off a deadly new disease. Published: ; Nov. 14, 2024, 6:00 a.m.

Oak wilt is one of the deadliest tree diseases in the U.S., responsible for killing millions of trees across 76 counties in Texas, according to the forest service.

Oak wilt weakens white oak trees and kills red oaks within weeks of infection. Bacterial leaf scorch is a chronic disease that worsens over several years. Both diseases spread to nearby oaks.

The fungus can be carried by beetles during the spring and summer, so don’t prune trees from April 15-July 15 to protect them from disease.