What is oak wilt and how does it affect trees?
Oak wilt is a major tree disease caused by the fungus, Ceratocystis fagacearum. This fungus plugs the water conducting vessels of certain oaks and greatly reduces the flow of water up the stem of the tree. Eventually, as more of the vessels become clogged, the tree will begin to wilt and most often die. Infected live oaks usually die in three months to one year. Approximately 10 percent of the live oak population may survive for many years in various states of decline and never fully recover. Red oaks typically die very quickly, within two weeks to several months.
