Oak wilt is a deadly fungal disease that infects oak trees in Texas. It's caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, which clogs the tree's water-conducting system.
Symptoms
Leaves turn brown at the edges (tip burn or margin burn)
Leaves have darker green veins than the rest of the leaf (vein banding)
Rapid defoliation
Dead leaves with brown veins on the ground for months after defoliation
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
Spreads above and below ground
Can spread rapidly through root systems, even when trees are treated
Spread by beetles that feed on tree sap and get covered in the fungal mat
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT IT
Minimize pruning oak trees between February 1 and July 1
Prune trees in the middle of the summer or in late fall/early winter
Paint all cuts and wounds on oak trees within 30 minutes
WHERE CAN I GET HELP?
AustinTexas.gov has resources to help monitor oak wilt infections.