Oak Wilt

oak_wilt_dead_william_ciesla.jpg

Oak wilt is a serious danger, and can finish off an oak in a few months.

Credit: William M.Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, Bugwood.org

What You Need to Know

Oak wilt is a very serious disease of oak trees, caused by a non-native fungus. First described in Wisconsin in 1944, it has spread across the Midwest and into the Appalachians and Texas.

Oak wilt can affect many species of oaks, but it's particularly hard on red oaks, the kinds of oaks that have pointed tips on their leaves. Most red oaks die within a month of symptoms appearing.

These maps from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources show where oak wilt has been found in Minnesota and across the U.S.

With the right information, you can protect your woods. Start by learning how oak wilt attacks your trees, or jump to steps for damage control or prevention. And remember, help is always available.