In what officials are describing as a rare instance, the city of Arlington has reported a positive case of oak wilt, a destructive tree disease.<\/p>\n
The positive tree was identified in west Arlington, on a property in the 76017 area code, according to Wendy Pappas, the urban forest and land manager with the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been here for almost 15 years; this is the first case that I\u2019ve heard of since I\u2019ve been here,\u201d Pappas said. \u201cIt\u2019s fairly rare in Arlington. It\u2019s been around East Texas and South Texas around Austin. It has really devastated the trees.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oak wilt is an infectious disease caused by a fungus. Once infected, the tree can no longer effectively process water, quickly killing it. Some species are affected more quickly than others.<\/p>\n
Demian Gomez, a regional health coordinator for the Texas A&M Forestry Service, said the\u00a0disease is spread through open wounds on trees, a problem exacerbated by trimming or pruning, as well as through root systems of trees in close proximity.<\/p>\n
Gomez said that every oak tree in Texas is susceptible to the disease, and that homeowners should be aware of the impact it could have on their property.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere could be different ranges of susceptibility in how fast or slow that tree is either going to show symptoms or die, but all oak trees are susceptible,\u201d Gomez said.<\/p>\n
Pappas said the city has already adjusted its contract with third-party landscaping companies to help fight the spread, adding that the companies must use an approved sealing spray paint on open tree wounds after pruning.<\/p>\n
The best thing homeowners can do is to educate themselves about the types of trees they have and how oak wilt shows itself in those types,\u00a0 Pappas and Gomez said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here are a few tips officials gave for spotting or preventing the spread of oak wilt:<\/p>\n
Recognize which trees in your yard are oak and what species of oak they are.
\nWatch for signs your tree is affected: thinning of the tree canopy, leaf dropping or unusual patterns on the tree leaves.
\nPrune trees from July to January, but buy a tree-friendly pruning seal spray to close any open wounds you leave.
\nBe aware of treatment options if you find your tree has oak wilt.
\nIf you believe your tree is infected, reach out to an arborist.<\/p>\n
Visit TexasOakWilt.org<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n Chris Moss is a reporter for the Arlington Report. Contact him at chris.moss@arlingtonreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n