identifying oak wilt
learn how to identify oak wilt

texas trees that may die from oak wilt

Some Oaks are more severely affected than other Oaks. In Texas, the Live Oak and the Oaks in the Red Oak Family such as Spanish Oak, Shumard Oak, and Blackjack Oak are extremely susceptible and die very quickly once infected.

Live Oak, Blackjack Oak, Shumard Oak

texas trees that rarely die from oak wilt

The White Oak Family, which includes Post Oak, Bur Oak, and Chinquapin Oak, have some resistance to the fungus and very rarely die form this disease.

Bur Oak, Chinquapin Oak,
Post Oak

indentifying oak wilt in live oaks

A sudden thinning, leaf symptoms, and patterns of tree death can be used as indicators of Oak Wilt. Leaves develop yellow to red veins that eventually turn brown (veinal necrosis) and are found on the tree and on the ground.

Most Live Oaks defoliate and die within 2-6 months following the appearance of symptoms. Some Live Oaks may survive as a remnant of a tree and live in a state of decline. Some occasionally escape infection and are not affected.

Veinal necrosis on live oaks

Sudden Thinning in Live Oaks

indentifying oak wilt in red oaks

(Shumard, Blackjack, Spanish) Leaf symptoms of oak wilt on red oaks are less distinct. Leaves simply wilt, turn pale green then brown hanging on the tree. Red oaks seldom survive Oak Wilt and often die within 3-4 weeks after the appearance of wilting leaves in the top portion of the tree.

During summer months, infected red oaks can be spotted from a distance because of their contrast to the surrounding greenery ("flagging").

Symptomatic Leaf on Red Oak

"Flagging" Red Oak