Oak Wilt
From City of Austin Oak Wilt website www.ci.austin.tx.us/oakwilt/
Is it safe to mulch with or burn the wood from diseased trees?
Chipping or shredding the wood from infected trees to use as mulch is an acceptable method of utilizing the wood. The oak wilt fungus has certain moisture and temperature requirements in order to live. Chipping or shredding allows the wood to dry out quickly, thereby killing the fungus.
Smoke from burning infected wood will not spread oak wilt. In fact, burning diseased logs actually kills the oak wilt fungus. However, diseased red oak firewood (from Spanish, Shumard, Blackjack, Water oaks, etc.) should not be stored on a homesite because the wood could contain fungal spores or insects which carry the spores and have the potential to infect healthy trees nearby.
Firewood from infected trees can be used if certain precautions are taken. If possible, find out where the firewood you are buying came from. Be extremely cautious of any oak firewood coming from an infected area or area you are unsure of. When buying oak, make every effort to buy only properly seasoned (dried) wood. Dry wood does not meet the specific moisture requirements of the oak wilt fungus. You can be sure that the wood is properly seasoned if the ends of the logs are cracking and/or the bark readily peels off the wood.
It is also recommended to store oak firewood under a sheet of clear plastic and tightly seal the edges of the plastic with soil or bricks. Doing so will prevent any spore-carrying beetles from escaping. It is also important to use clear plastic, as black plastic will reveal any escape holes to the beetles.
Note: These precautions need to be followed only for red oak firewood. If your not sure what kind of wood you are using, follow the above recommendations.
Christi Stromberg
Horticulture Agent
Williamson County Cooperative Extension
3151 SE Inner Loop, Ste. A
Georgetown, TX 78626
512-943-3300
cstromberg@wilco.org
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