Oak wilt is a disease caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum. Red oaks are particularly susceptible, resulting in tree death within a single season. Oak wilt is spread naturally through root grafts or beetles carrying fungal spores. Oak wilt does not affect human or animal health.
In 2023, Canada had its first confirmed detection of Oak wilt:
- City of Niagara Falls
- Township of Springwater, ON
As a precautionary effort, the Municipality of Lambton Shores has created this page to help inform residents of oak wilt, what to do, and how to spot signs of it.
What can you do
Things you can do to prevent oak wilt:
- Don't prune oak trees between April and November
- Don't move firewood
- Report suspected signs to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) : Report online
- Check oak trees for signs of oak wilt
Signs of oak wilt
Signs of oak wilt include:
- Dull green, brown or yellow leaves
- Cracks in the trunk of the tree
- White, grey or black fungus
- Early and sudden leaf drop
More information
More information about oak wilt can be found on the CFIA website.
Contact Us
