Oak Wilt in Missouri: Is Your Tree at Risk?

Oaks are the backbone of Joplin's urban forest. But a deadly fungus called Oak Wilt (Bretziella fagacearum) is killing trees across Missouri.

It moves fast. Once a Red Oak is infected, it can die within weeks.

What Does Oak Wilt Look Like?

The symptoms are distinct, but easy to miss if you aren't looking.

1. Leaf Scorch: The leaves turn brown around the edges and veins, while the base of the leaf stays green.
2. Rapid Leaf Drop: The tree starts shedding leaves in June or July (way too early for fall).
3. Pattern: It usually starts at the top of the canopy and moves down.

How Does It Spread?

Oak Wilt has two ways of attacking:

1. The Beetle (Above Ground): Sap-feeding beetles smell fresh tree wounds. If you prune an oak in spring, the beetles fly in, carrying the fungus on their bodies, and infect the cut.
2. The Roots (Below Ground): Oaks like to hold hands. Their roots graft together underground. If one tree gets sick, it pumps the fungus into the neighboring trees through the roots. This creates an "infection center" where every oak on the block dies.

The Golden Rule: NO SPRING PRUNING

To prevent Oak Wilt, do not prune Oak trees in Joplin from March 15th to July 1st. This is when the beetles are most active.

• Best Time to Prune: Winter (December - February).
• Emergency Pruning: If a storm breaks a branch in May, you MUST paint the wound immediately with latex paint or pruning sealer to block the scent.

Can It Be Treated?

• Red Oaks: Usually die too fast to save.
• White Oaks: More resistant. Can sometimes be saved with fungicide injections (Alamo) if caught early.

Prevention is the only cure. If you see your Oak dropping leaves in summer, call us immediately. We need to test it and potentially dig trenches to stop it from spreading to your neighbors.

Schedule a Health Check