In an earlier post we discussed oak wilt, which was identified for the first time on Long Island this summer in the Town of Islip. Unfortunately, additional reports of oak wilt have since occurred from several other towns in Suffolk County. In light of these reports, the DEC is urging homeowners to prune their oak trees in winter and not during the growing season. One way that oak wilt spreads is through insects (sap beetles are one of the main culprits), which can move the fungus from an infected tree to a healthy tree. During the warmer growing season sap beetles are active and attracted to the fresh wounds, increasing the chances of disease spread.

Learn more about oak wilt on the DEC website.