Oak Wilt Management Services for Milford MI
ISA Certified Arborists
Serving Milford, Commerce, West Bloomfield, White Lake, Clarkston, Novi, Lake Orion and more
Protect Your Trees FromOak Wilt
Oak Wilt Management Services, for Milford MI
Oak trees contribute greatly to the beauty of Milford, Michigan’s urban forests.
Aside from their awe-inspiring height and canopy, they also provide multiple benefits for your property and nearby plant life and wildlife.
But Oak Wilt can threaten a homeowner’s gentle green giant, turning its expansive branches and thick trunk against you. So when signs of this exotic fungus appear in your tree, it’s time to ring the alarm bells and call the professionals.
Read on and discover how green industry professionals, Ascension Tree Care offers the best oak wilt management services in Milford and surrounding areas.
ISA Certified Arborist Oak Wilt Management
The Oak Wilt Risk
Oak Wilt is an relentless fungal disease that can kill an oak tree in a single season. It is caused by the invasive fungus Bretziella fagacearum and spreads rapidly.
The fungus clogs your tree’s water-conducting system, the xylem, blocking water transportation and nutrients.
If infected, a red oak will die in as early as a few weeks but the process can sometimes take up to months. White oaks while susceptible to oak wilt rarely succumb to or spread the disease.
Since it’s currently endemic to North America, Milford oaks are not safe from this devastating tree disease. It also threatens natural and urban forest health around the globe.
If you do see its signs, you can rely on Ascension Tree Care to take action. Our ISA-certified arborists implement industry-standard techniques in oak wilt treatment and management.
Rest assured, our treatment plan prioritizes saving your trees and stopping the further spread of oak wilt disease.
General Awareness Of Oak Wilt - How Does Oak Wilt Spread?
Overland
The fungal spores are carried by Nitidulidae and Picnic beetles.
These oak bark beetles move from infected trees to healthy trees, driven by the smell that an oak tree gives off when wounded.
A wounded oak tree, such as one that has been trimmed, can attract nearby beetles in less than a minute.
Underground
Oak trees of a similar species, such as red oak, readily graft root systems.
These grafted roots, which the trees use to share resources and communicate are hijacked by the oak wilt fungus.
These below ground networks become a pathway for the fungus to travel from an infected tree to healthy nearby oaks.
Fungal Mats
If an infected tree is left standing, it has the capacity to produce Fungal Mats the following growth season.
These mats split open the bark of the dead infected tree and produce a sweet fermented smell which attracts the oak bark beetles.
These beetles feed on the mycelial mat, picking up oak wilt spores in the process, which they then spread to healthy trees.
Signs of Oak Wilt Infection in Milford Trees
Shedding Oak Leaves
If your oak canopy is shedding an excessive amount of leaves in the spring or summer, you might have the initial signs of oak wilt.
At this point, it’s wise to consult a professional before the disease spreads even further, causing new infections.
Discolored Leaves
As the fungus chokes your oak, the leaves show a lack of nutrient and water distribution.
Leaves will start to turn brown, bronze, or yellow from the margin, creeping towards the mid-vein and the stem. This is opposite to how live oaks in the Southeastern parts of the United States have discolored leaves beginning from the leaf vein outwards—also called veinal necrosis.
As the infection progresses, whole branches will soon have these discolored leaves. They start from the crown, enveloping your canopy downward.
Effective Disease Prevention Measures in Milford, Michigan
Proper Oak Tree Trimming
At Ascension tree care we do not perform work on oak trees until the winter months, specifically when the temperature reaches below 50 degrees for at least five days in a row.
Overland transmission is spread through the sap bark beetles, so we only work on oak trees when we can be confident these beetles are not active anymore.
If your property has an established oak wilt infection, more advanced techniques need to be applied. Our certified arborists combine professional expertise, experience, and the right equipment to nip the infection in the bud.
Trenching
Stopping the infection is not as simple as cutting down an infected tree.
When dealing with oak wilt, we take extra precautions, such as trenching. Creating a trench around the tree will sever the root grafts that distribute the fungal pathogens throughout the area.
Once the roots are isolated, we cut down the tree and treat the stump with herbicide before removing it.
We also put extra care in cleaning up and disposing of the firewood so that it wouldn’t come in contact with other oaks.
Fungicide Injections
Macro-injection treatments are an effective preventive measure against oak wilt.
The apparatus is injected into the flare roots, delivering the fungicide to the xylem. Its presence will prevent oak wilt from causing damage.
Why Choose Ascension Tree Care for Oak Wilt Treatment
Healthy and beautiful trees on a property are a source of pride. At Ascension Tree Care, our mission is to provide Milford and the surrounding areas with the best tree care services.
Our tree professionals are certified, experienced, and equipped with high-quality equipment to do the job quickly and efficiently.
We care for your trees as much as we care for your satisfaction. Call us with your oak wilt concerns, and we’ll give you a free quote with no hidden fees.