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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced the first confirmed detections of oak wilt in Niagara Falls and Springwater, near Barrie. No cases have been confirmed in Burlington, however, the City is proactively sharing tips with residents on how to prevent the spread of oak wilt locally, and what to do if they suspect oak wilt is present in the community.
Oak wilt prevention tips:
- Avoid pruning oak trees between April and November. Minimizing wounds on healthy trees during the flight period of insect carriers helps maintain the health of oak trees.
- Do not move firewood. In addition to insect carriers, oak wilt is spread through the movement of infected wood.
- Understand the signs and symptoms of oak wilt. Symptoms of oak wilt include dull green, brown or yellow leaves, cracks in the trunk, white, grey or black fungus as well as early and sudden leaf drop.
- The City is asking residents who have oak trees on their private property to inspect their trees for oak wilt. If residents suspect oak wilt to be present on their oak tree or on a City-owned oak tree, they are asked to report it the CFIA and the City at 905-335-7777 or email city@burlington.ca.
For further information on the impacts of oak wilt and how to identify signs and symptoms of oak wilt, visit: www.burlington.ca/pestsanddiseases
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Quick Facts
- Oak wilt is a vascular disease of oak trees, caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum. The fungus grows on the outer sapwood of oak trees, restricting the flow of water and nutrients through the tree.
- Oak wilt can damage and destroy an oak tree in a single season.
- All oak species are susceptible and at risk.
- Oak wilt poses no threat to humans, animals, bees or insects.
- Oak wilt is spread through root-to-root contact between infected and uninfected trees, insects that move spores from infected trees to healthy trees, and movement of wood products such as firewood.
- There is no treatment for oak trees infected with oak wilt. Once an oak tree is infected with oak wilt, removal is the only option, and the CFIA needs to be notified.
Quote
Steve Robinson, Manager of Urban Forestry
“As part of the City’s strategy to protect and expand Burlington’s urban canopy, we understand the importance of being proactive when responding to threats to our trees. This includes the possible spread of invasive pests within Ontario. City crews and our contractors do not prune oaks between April and August. We encourage residents to understand the signs and symptoms of oak wilt and promptly report it to the CFIA and to Service Burlington if they suspect its presence.”
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