Oak Wilt in Argyle, TX: Recognizing Symptoms and Taking Action

Oak wilt poses a significant threat to the native trees of Argyle, Texas. A fungus, Ceratocystis fagacearum, causes this disease, which primarily affects oak trees. It invades their vascular system and prevents the tree from receiving the nutrients and water it needs. It’s important to know how to recognize the symptoms and understand what you can do to control this arboreal disease. Keep reading to learn more about the signs of oak wilt and the steps you can take to stop it.

The Danger of Oak Wilt

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There are three types of oak trees — white oaks, red oaks, and live oaks — and all three varieties are vulnerable to oak wilt. After the fungus enters the tree, it prevents the spread of water and nutrients by invading the vascular system. This first causes the oak’s leaves to wilt, curl, and turn brown, and it can eventually lead to the death of the tree.

This means it’s essential to act fast after noticing the symptoms of this fungus. There are many signs that indicate oak wilt has infested your tree. Understanding these warning signs can help homeowners be proactive and mitigate the issue before it spreads.

Oak Wilt Causes Curling or Wilting Leaves

Trees infested with oak wilt may have curling or wilting leaves due to the fungus restricting the flow of water and nutrients throughout the tree. This typically starts at the crown of the tree and travels downward through the canopy. It’s important to check the leaves near the top of the tree when checking for oak wilt.

Look for Leaf Discoloration

Besides wilting and curling, oak wilt can also cause leaf discoloration. In red oaks, discoloration typically appears in the veins of the leaves. They’ll turn brown or black rather than remaining green. In white oaks, this fungus will cause the leaves to turn different colors, making it easy for homeowners to spot an infestation.

Watch Out for the Slow Death of the Tree

In all oak varieties, this fungus can lead to the slow death of the tree. Oak wilt progresses throughout the tree one branch at a time, meaning white oaks may take longer to succumb to the fungus than live oaks. Regardless of the oak variety, this condition can eventually kill the tree, so it’s important for homeowners to act quickly when they notice the signs.

What Can You Do About Oak Wilt?

While oak wilt can be devastating, with the help of the team at TreeNewal, there are measures you can take to stop its spread and save your trees. When you notice the first sign of oak wilt, make sure to contact an ISA-certified arborist or professional tree care service, such as TreeNewal.

Oak wilt can kill your tree in months, so contact the experts as soon as you see any signs of this fungal infestation. They’ll provide you with tailored tree care guidance and help you resolve oak wilt or any other arboreal issues to help save your trees.