Oak wilt is a serious problem in Austin. If you suspect oak wilt on your property I highly recommend monitoring the site over a minimum of one year period to identify a pattern of tree mortality. Pattern of spread is the best diagnostic tool for oak wilt. Foliar symptoms are not diagnostic. In fact, veinal necrosis is not a chemical reaction of the tree to oak wilt. It is the rapid dieing of the tree’s veins. I offer you this analogy: people with a cold sneeze, but not everybody who sneezes has a cold. There are many tree disorders that cause veinal necrosis.

There is a stigma about oak wilt treatments not working. In my experiences, this is because people get paranoid and don’t due diligence during the diagnostic process. I offer you another analogy: if you treat a flu patient with acid reflux pills, the treatment won’t work. My experience has been that when oak wilt treatments fail it is because the trees didn’t have oak wilt. They had other problems.

If you suspect oak wilt on your property it is VERY, VERY important to monitor the site closely. I recommend a minimum of 4 inspections over a one year period.

oak wilt austin