Knowledgebase

Oak wilt #876300

Asked July 08, 2024, 10:39 AM EDT

Hi! I'm a DC resident, living on Capitol Hill. Thank you for your willingness to respond to our questions as DC works on its own version of your service. My question is whether oak wilt is in DC. I've asked the Urban Forestry Division of the District of Columbia Department of Transportation and am told DC doesn't have definitive information. The red oak behind my house needs to be pruned. Thank you for your service to the community!

District of Columbia County District of Columbia

Expert Response

Hi Linda,


Good news, UDC is happy to offer ask an expert extension services online, thanks to our team of Master Gardeners! So glad you sent this in!

Per the National Forest Service, Oak Wilt, which is caused by the fungus, Ceratocystis fagacearum, is rare in the Nat’l Capital Region, https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/pests-and-pathogens.htm#:~:text=threats%20to%20oaks.-,Oak%20Wilt,sometimes%20leading%20to%20tree%20mortality.

Oak Wilt is reported in western Maryland, however, so it is getting close to DC https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/PDIS-12-10-0944

While it bears checking out, there are many stressors that can contribute to a tree’s decline that could mimic Oak Wilt, particularly the extreme heat & lack of rain DC is experiencing. So glad that you have identified a tree under stress!
Would it perhaps be possible to water this tree? A very slow trickle or a jug with a small hole in the bottom would soak in better than a bucket poured all at once. 
Trees are much more resilient if not stressed. 

DC doesn’t have county agents, but we do have DC Arborists and a contact email for the DC Arborist covering each area. Here is a link to the DC Arborist map, enter your address/tree’s location into the search bar

Click on the name that pops up for the name, email and phone number of the arborist covering that location. https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=ea6704ca7ec84b25be2cb23d4849bdb3

Contacting the arborist directly can be more successful than calling an office - let us know, please.
Thank you so much reaching out & please keep us posted!

Kate


An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 08, 2024, 2:37 PM EDT
Thank you, Kate! 


On Jul 8, 2024, at 2:37 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied July 10, 2024, 10:26 AM EDT

Hi Linda,


Now have an additional link to share. If you would like, you can find the  tree general location using the nearest address, and then it is easier to pinpoint it on the map. The site can be used to report a tree problem, like the red oak, & then it is in the system. Or if you are watering the tree, letting them know. Or both! And no sitting on hold.

https://treewatering.ddot.dc.gov/treewatering/

Thanks for noticing the tree needs help. This has been a terrible summer for our and we don’t want to lose them!


Kate McLynn, DC Master Gardener


An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 26, 2024, 8:12 PM EDT

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