As you may know, a disease called oak wilt has gained a toehold in Cobmoosa Shores. At present, it seems to be confined to the easternmost area bounded by Paubawme, Shawbacoung, and Ottawattamie but it has the potential to spread throughout the association. The board has instituted a program to help property owners protect potentially endangered trees on their property by loaning the equipment needed to inject fungicide into their healthy but threatened trees.
Treating four trees that are 2-feet in diameter will require 25 injectors, a (diluted) quart of propicanizole 14:3, and 100 wooden plugs. The total cost to a member would be approximately $64 for four 2-foot trees.
Oak wilt is a fungus that red oaks, black oaks and, to a lesser degree, white oaks. It spreads through two means: through the interconnected root systems of oaks, and by insects carrying spores from tree to tree. Once a tree is infected, it will die in a matter of months.
Treating four trees that are 2-feet in diameter will require 25 injectors, a (diluted) quart of propicanizole 14:3, and 100 wooden plugs. The total cost to a member would be approximately $64 for four 2-foot trees.
- Members may borrow required drill bits and up to 25 fungicide injectors (with a $20 deposit, and $300 penalty if the injectors are not returned).
- Members would have to separately purchase the fungicide (propicanizole 14:3) and wooden plugs. (Plugs are available from Chemjet, and propicanizole can be purchased from a variety of vendors).
- Members would need to supply their own electric drill, buckets, disinfectant, and hammer.
- Training on the identification of at-risk oak species and in fungicide application will be available.
- Got a Question? Ready to inject your trees? Contact Paul Jordan, Trustee, via the Contact Form of the CSA website
Oak wilt is a fungus that red oaks, black oaks and, to a lesser degree, white oaks. It spreads through two means: through the interconnected root systems of oaks, and by insects carrying spores from tree to tree. Once a tree is infected, it will die in a matter of months.
How Can Oak Wilt be Prevented?
Oak wilt can be prevented by physically isolating infected trees by trenching around them to separate their root systems from those of uninfected trees. This is very expensive and requires the cooperation of neighbors.
A much cheaper prevention involves drilling 11/64-inch holes at 3-inch intervals around the circumference of your healthy trees and injecting a diluted fungicide into the tree. Once injection is completed, the holes are filled with wooden plugs. Sterilization of equipment is extremely important after treating one tree and before treating the next.
In one study in northern Michigan, 12 healthy red oaks surrounding a cluster of diseased trees were treated with propicanizole. All were still healthy after three years. However, similar results are not guaranteed.
Learn More
To learn more about Oak Wilt you may visit YouTube and search using the keywords “Oak Wilt” and/or contact Rod Denning, District Forester, by calling the Oceana Conservation District at 231/861-5600. Be advised that Rod as District Forester serves Oceana, Muskegon, and Newaygo Counties; he “in the field” more than he is “in the office”.
Oak wilt can be prevented by physically isolating infected trees by trenching around them to separate their root systems from those of uninfected trees. This is very expensive and requires the cooperation of neighbors.
A much cheaper prevention involves drilling 11/64-inch holes at 3-inch intervals around the circumference of your healthy trees and injecting a diluted fungicide into the tree. Once injection is completed, the holes are filled with wooden plugs. Sterilization of equipment is extremely important after treating one tree and before treating the next.
In one study in northern Michigan, 12 healthy red oaks surrounding a cluster of diseased trees were treated with propicanizole. All were still healthy after three years. However, similar results are not guaranteed.
Learn More
To learn more about Oak Wilt you may visit YouTube and search using the keywords “Oak Wilt” and/or contact Rod Denning, District Forester, by calling the Oceana Conservation District at 231/861-5600. Be advised that Rod as District Forester serves Oceana, Muskegon, and Newaygo Counties; he “in the field” more than he is “in the office”.
