Many new oak wilt disease centers are caused by human activity.
Stop oak wilt.
Stopping spread through roots measures can be taken to break root connections between live oaks or dense groups of red oaks to reduce or stop root transmission of the oak wilt fungus.
Oak wilt fungus transmission through root spread between adjoining trees accounts for most of the tree loss in oak wilt centers.
They stop oak wilt spread by identifying future spore producing red oaks which trees to protect from wounding which trees not threatened by root graft infection then respond same day to tree health changes.
The most common technique is to sever roots.
Measures can be taken to break root connections between live oaks or dense groups of red oaks to reduce or stop root transmission of the oak wilt fungus.
We can all take steps to reduce the chance of starting a new oak wilt center.
Root spread can be stopped by creating a buffer zone between the oak wilt center and healthy trees.
If you have an oak tree that you suspect might be afflicted with oak wilt get in touch with an arborist or plant disease specialist in your area.
A trench see photo should be established at least 100 feet from the last symptomatic tree.
Avoid pruning oak trees between early february and late june.
The most common technique is to sever roots by trenching at least 4 ft deep with trenching machines rock saws or ripper bars.