MARQUETTE, MI-- The Department of Natural Resources is telling residents what they can do to prevent the spread of Oak Wilt Disease.
The fungal infection affects red oaks, including northern road oak, black oak, and pin oak. It’s spread by beetles that carry spores from dead trees to wounds on healthy oaks.
The DNR says oaks should not be pruned or otherwise injured from April 15 to July 15. Pruning allows the disease to enter the tree through the cut. Once an oak is infected the disease moves to neighboring red oaks through root grafts
Officials say firewood from oak wilt-killed trees should not be moved from one place to another to prevent the spread of the disease.
