In an information session hosted by The Invasive Species Centre an expert panel answered questions.
The panel included:
Nicole Mielewczyk, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Dr. Sharon Reed, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Charlie Smith, City of Niagara Falls (first confirmed case)
Panel members shared their expertise, next steps, ongoing research, and what the public can do to help protect oak trees.
Oak wilt is a fungal pathogen (Bretziella fagacearum). Until now, no confirmed cases of oak wilt existed in Canada. In the space of a month, the second case has been confirmed in the Township of Springwater, Ontario (near Barrie).
This does not mean that the fungus spreads quickly, it is the reverse, it spreads relatively slowly. It occurs in pockets, not entire stands. More likely it was an unknowing transmission through movement of logs or firewood.
Oak wilt is highly susceptible in all species of red oak, including the northern red oak (Quercus rubra), northern pin oak (Quercus ellipoidalis), and the Spanish oak (Quercus falcata). Other species of oak are less susceptible. This fungus occurs in oaks only.
Fungal mats found on infected trees are transferred to the bodies of beetles while feeding (oak worms) and then carried to other trees to spread the disease. It can also be spread underground through roots.
There are proven strategies that farmers, foresters and property owners can follow that will help prevent the transmission of oak wilt such as:
Don't prune oak trees between April and November
Don't move firewood
Report suspected signs to the CFIA
Check oak trees for signs of oak wilt
For more information on oak wilt and how to report a suspected oak wilt infection contact inspections.Canada.ca and invasivespeciescentre.ca. Information and updates are also available.
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