Trees in the Minnesota region are susceptible to infections and diseases year-round. Therefore it is important to ensure that your trees are well looked after and have a maintenance plan in place for when they do develop diseases. Even though Oak trees are sturdy, tall, and permanent in nature, they’re not free from the risk of infections.

Oak Wilt is a deadly fungal disease that causes the wilting and eventual death of oak trees. The Oak Wilt fungus, Ceratocystis fagacerum, can be spread by beetles above the ground or by root-to-root grafting between trees. For root-to-root grafting, the fungus develops under the tree barks and then spreads to the other roots through fungal mats. These mats then attract beetles and other bugs that start laying eggs and spreading the infection even further.

While Oak Wilt can be devastating, quick action may save a tree already attacked by oak wilt. There are important warning signs to catch Oak Wilt during its early stages. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms to help prevent the disease from inflicting more damage.

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Identifying Oak Wilt Disease

Oak wilt can be difficult to identify without professional help, because many of the symptoms mirror those of other plant diseases as well. Keep an eye out for any change in your trees.

Shedding Leaves

If you notice leaves shedding while the majority of the tree is still green, you should cut the wilted branch immediately. Shedding leaves on an otherwise healthy tree is one of the most common signs of Oak Wilt infections.

Browning Throughout the Leaves of a Branch

If the oak leaves are suddenly yellowing or browning throughout the branch, it’s an indication that something is wrong with your trees. The possibility of your trees suffering from Oak Wilt increases if you start noticing these signs. Seek professional help to make sure you catch the disease quickly and speed up the treatment process.

Dark Circles in the Bark and on Branches

If you begin to see dark circles in the otherwise lighter tissues of a branch or bark, it’s probably a good indicator that you need help as soon as possible as your trees might be suffering from Oak Wilt. Contact us at Birch Tree Care if you notice any signs. Our arborists have been treating Oak Wilt in the Minnesota region for decades now and will come up with the treatment plan best suited for your trees.

Our Oak Wilt Treatment Options

While these are steps that can minimize the spread of infection, it is important to treat the initial source and cause of the wilted oaks. The treatment is a serious responsibility and requires professional expertise. It is important to use the correct equipment to break the tree’s connection with other oak trees nearby.

At Birch Tree Care, our arborists provide a variety of treatment options for your oak trees to ensure they’re healthy and disease-free.

Oak Tree Trimming

Wilted branches and leaves need to be pruned immediately. Leaving them unattended will not only damage the entire tree but will also increase the risk of spreading to other trees nearby. Leave it up to our trained team of plant healthcare professionals to prune your oak trees to ensure it is free of any potential infections and damage.

Oak Wilt Root Flare Injections

Oak wilt is responsible for killing large numbers of oak trees in Minnesota each year. It is more severe and deadly to Red Oaks than to White Oaks and Bur Oaks. Ensure your oak trees are protected with preventative root flare injections.

If you think your trees might be suffering from Oak Wilt, simply contact us and one of our arborists will be happy to provide you with a custom quote for Oak Wilt treatment.

Areas We Offer Oak Wilt Treatment

Birch Tree Care is your local residential and commercial tree care company providing plant health care services to the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

At Birch Tree Care, we’ll treat your trees as if they were our own. Our team of certified arborists care deeply about trees and work safely and efficiently to come up with a treatment plan that is best suited to your plant's needs.

If you’re looking to get Oak Wilt treated, call us at 651.504.0533 for more information on our service options in your neighborhood.

Oak Wilt Treatment Customer Reviews

“I’ve been a happy customer for years. Birch Tree’s work is excellent, reasonably priced, and completed when promised. I routinely family, friends, and neighbors to them. No one has ever been disappointed. Thank you, Tony and Mitch, for caring for our beautiful trees and making our yard a sanctuary!” - Rhys Ledger

“Birch Tree is a great company. They did an excellent job at my house. Their on-site staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and on time. Tony Sylvester was great at explaining how and why things should be done. Overall, I would recommend them if you need any tree work done.” - Eric Yackel

Why Choose Birch Tree Care

Birch Tree Care is your local neighborhood tree care company. Since we’re from your area, we understand how important and valuable the trees in the Twin Cities area are. Our certified arborists and technicians have the knowledge and expertise to help you protect your oak trees from this dangerous disease.

Above all else, our team is concerned about treating infected trees, especially when it comes to damage caused. At Birch Tree Care, we’ll treat your trees with the utmost care. We want you to be proud of the work we do for you just as we are about the way we treat your Oak trees.

Oak Wilt Disease FAQs

Oak Wilt is a devastating vascular wilt disease that commonly affects all oaks, but most commonly species in the red oak family. It spreads rapidly through the tree’s vascular system and can kill susceptible trees in a matter of weeks. If you notice any signs of wilting, reach out to our arborists at Birch Tree Care for advice.
Our plant health care specialists at Birch Tree Care have been working with tree diseases for years now and know the right treatment plans for oak trees. Leave it up to them to examine the extent of the infection and provide you with the best treatment and prevention plan for your trees.
If you notice that your oak tree is wilting, the branches are dying, and the bark is damaged beyond repair, it might be time to cut down the tree. Reach out to our team of professionals to help examine the extent of damage and make a recommendation for your trees.

Oak Wilt Treatment