When You Have an Outbreak

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Keep an eye out for an infestation and destroy the infected tree as soon as possible.

Credit: Harlan Palm

Once trees have symptoms of Thousand Cankers Disease, they can't be saved. But you may still be able to help the trees that look healthy.

• Report it!  Thousand Cankers Disease may be a regulatory concern in your state. If you think you have an outbreak make sure to report it to your state agricultural regulatory official.
  
• Cut and destroy. Cut down any dead or diseased walnut trees and destroy them as soon as possible by chipping, to make sure no beetle eggs or larvae survive to attack a healthy tree.
• Cut and debark. If you want to keep the wood for firewood or lumber, immediately remove and destroy the bark to kill the beetles.
• Pesticide. Pesticide won't help diseased trees, but it may keep a symptom-free tree from getting sick. The pesticide imidacloprid is injected into the trunk or applied to the soil. Spraying trees doesn't seem to work.

A local extension agent or forester can help you what to do if you have Thousand Cankers Disease on your land.

If the disease hasn't made it to you yet, there are still things you can do to protect your trees.