*** The Town of Spider Lake is working to raise awareness of Oak Wilt.
Oak wilt is a destructive disease that kills red oak trees by spreading to their tissues and starving them of water and nutrients. Prevention is the best strategy to protect oak trees, and here are some best practices:
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Avoid pruning during high-risk periods
In Wisconsin, the risk period is April through July, but it can vary by location and season.
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Sanitize pruning equipment
Use denatured methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or a household disinfectant to sterilize equipment between trees.
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Paint wounds
Immediately apply a thin layer of wound paint or pruning seal to pruning cuts and other wounds to prevent fungal spores from sticking to the sap and infecting the tree.
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Buy and transport dry wood
Purchase wood locally that has been thoroughly dried for at least a year, and avoid moving firewood to new locations.
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Create a buffer zone
Dig a trench at least 100 feet from the last symptomatic tree and 48 inches deep.
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Remove infected trees
Promptly remove and burn or bury dead or diseased trees. If possible, burn trees in place.
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Treat logs and branches
Before April, cut infected oaks as close to the ground as possible, and burn, debark, or chip logs and larger branches. You can also process diseased logs into lumber or kiln-dry them before April.
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Tarp wood
From April through July, tarp wood to prevent sap beetles from coming into contact with spores. Make sure the tarp is thick enough to prevent punctures and completely bury the edges.
For more information on oak wilt management. Please
CLICK HERE.