EIGHT STEP PROGRAM TO OAK WILT MANAGEMENT

by Jerral Johnson and David Appel

A Plan For Reducing Losses To The Oak Wilt Fungus

Oak wilt is a major disease problem on live oaks, Shumard oaks, Spanish oaks, water oaks, black jack oaks and other members of the red oak family. Vast areas of the Texas Hill Country have been devastated by the fungus that causes the disease called oak wilt. Researchers, foresters and Extension workers at Texas A&M University have developed a program to stop this needless loss of one of Texas's most precious natural resources. This program is known as the "Eight Step Program to Oak Wilt Management." When implementing any disease management program, it is important to start early in the disease development. Each of the following eight steps is important to preventing and controlling oak wilt.

An accurate diagnosis is important to the control of this disease. Leaf symptoms, pattern of spread, rate of tree mortality and laboratory isolation of the fungus from infected tissue are all means of identifying an oak wilt infection. The following table summarizes the diagnostic characteristics of oak wilt infection.

Table 1: Field Identification of Oak Wilt

1. This condition is more often observed in early spring and only when all of the leaves turn reddish brown. Leaves will be retained on tree for a short time after tree death.
2.  Some trees will vary with the rate of mortality.

Step 2. Create a Buffer Zone

Oak wilt fungus transmission through root spread between adjoining trees accounts for most of the tree loss in oak wilt centers. Root spread can be stopped by creating a buffer zone between the oak wilt center and healthy trees. A trench should be established at least 100 feet from the ast symptomatic tree. Using a rock  saw, commercial ditching machine or a backhoe, the trench is dug at least 48 inches deep. The trench is immediately filled. It severs the roots between neighboring trees and prevents fungus spread between trees through root connections.

Step 3. Sanitation

Plant sap on the surface of a cut or wound attracts sap feeding beetles. During insect feeding, the fungus spores transported by the beetles are dislodged on to the tree's surface, germinate and infect the new host. Studies have shown that the beetles are most active in the early spring. This is also the time when the fungal mats are actively producing spores. Avoid pruning between February 15 and June 15, the period for maximum insect and fungal mat activity. This window of spread will vary depending upon location in the state. In the South Texas area, the timing will be slightly earlier, but in the Panhandle the timing would be later. When possible prune trees between December 1 and February 1, or between July 1 and October 1.

Step 5. Protecting Pruning Cuts or Wounds

Trees near oak wilt centers that are wounded or that must be pruned during the most active insect and fungal mat season, should be protected with a wound paint. These materials provide a protective layer between the fresh cut and the sap feeding beetles. Apply the paint in a thin layer immediately after wounding. Most products have either an asphalt or latex base. All cuts greater than 1/2 inch should be painted. Wound paints should always be used when pruning trees in the immediate vicintiy of an oak wilt center. Trees within 3 miles of an oak wilt center should be painted during critical periods of insect and fungus activity. Paint is not required for trees in areas free of the oak wilt fungus.

Step 6. Firewood

In some areas, oak wilt has already caused extensive losses to landscape trees. Property owners can successfully replant live oaks, Spanish, Shumard and water oaks if precautions are taken to avoid wounds. It is always best to use a mixed planting of trees to add variety to the landscape and reduce the chance of a recurrence of oak wilt or similar disease problems. Post oak is a species of white oak that is resistant to the fungus but cannot be successfully replanted due to slow root development. Overcup oak, bur oak, white oak and other members of the white oak family are resistant to the fungus and can be planted in oak wilt centers. Chinkapin and swamp chestnut oak are chestnut oaks that can be grown in some areas of Texas and have some resistance to the oak wilt fungus. Cedar elm and Chinese elm are suggested for planting in many of the areas where oak wilt is a problem. Chinese pistache, ball cypress and flowering pears are other trees that can be planted in most areas where oak wilt is a problem. Before planting a tree, check with your local County Extension Agent, County Horticulturists, Arborists, Forester or Nurserymen on how that tree will do in your location.

How To Sample For Oak Wilt Diagnosis

How samples are taken and handled is vital to the success of a laboratory analysis. By following the steps outlined below, the chance of recovery is greatly improved.