Pruning trees properly to avoid oak wilt

Keep Wimberley Beautiful Volunteers

Oak wilt is caused by a fungus passed from tree to tree through the root system — a destructive disease affecting live oaks and red oaks in central Texas.

Beetles and other insects can carry oak wilt from tree to tree that have a new, open wound caused by wind, hail, wildlife or pruning. Think of all the trees that were damaged last winter during the ice storm. It is critical that a damaged oak immediately be painted at the fresh open wound. Any kind of paint or wound dressing is acceptable, but the key is to do this immediately after the damage or pruning occurs.