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Oak Wilt Services
There are two scientifically accepted protocols for Oak Wilt; fungicide injection and suppression trenching. Fungicide injection involves the placement of a chemical in selected trees that are under threat of Oak Wilt infection within one year. While best used as a preventative (before symptoms arise), some trees respond to treatment after becoming symptomatic. Learn more about tree injections on our Treatment page.
Suppression trenching is used to sever the interconnected root system between a diseased area and a healthy area. Trenching is best suited for areas with little buried infrastructure (generally rural or suburban properties). The purpose of severing the root system is to prevent the transmission of the disease through them. More information about this can be found on our Trenching page.
Our Service Area Includes all of Central Texas
Although we are based in Wimberley (near Austin) we work throughout Central Texas. If you live between Dallas-Fort Worth and the Texas gulf coast, we have probably been in your area to visit you or a neighbor.The highlighted area on the map shows the scope of our service area. Not every location is shown, of course, because all the names would not fit!
If you have an Oak Wilt problem outside our service area, we can probably recommend an expert who can help.
Pre-purchase Inspections
One of your largest investments is your property. As a normal part of the due diligence process, you should spend the small amount of time and money for an Oak Wilt evaluation before you close. This may protect you from unpleasant surprises down the road. Our Certified and Oak Wilt Qualified Arborists have conducted many property inspections. You’ll learn about the Oak Wilt situation relating to a particular property or area.
If you're selling a property, it makes good sense to understand potential Oak Wilt problems before placing a property on the market. Full disclosure of tree diseases to a potential buyer up front will save money, time and avoid legal problems.
Inspections are priced based on property size and characteristics and are generally inexpensive. A written report can be supplied, if required.
Reports and Maps
Oak Wilt management is an ongoing process spanning several years. Multiple treatment phases, trench installations and surveys may occur. Our tree database (with tens of thousands of trees) records every tree treated, it’s condition and where it’s located. Our company has the ability to build a treatment portfolio mapping out where work was performed and when. Especially important on larger properties, these reports and maps are invaluable as time passes and memories fade.
Using GPS technology, maps can be overlaid on aerial or satellite imagery (as shown in the sample) or plotted onto conventional property surveys. Oak Wilt Specialists has the computer expertise to supply maps and your tree’s records from our database.
Note: Documentation is helpful during a property sale to show a buyer that a diligent Oak Wilt management effort was implemented.
Worm Spraying
Defoliation from Oak Leaf Rollers and Canker Worms can be devastating in Central Texas. Periodic defoliation from these pests is tolerated by healthy trees. However, when drought and Oak Wilt damage are added to the mix, tree health may be severely impacted. Striking during the spring just after tender new leaves are formed, these insects can strip a tree bare in a week or less. The worms also are a nuisance around walks and patios as they hang off the trees on silk threads. Our company provides insect spraying services during the spring to prevent the hatch of leaf eating pests. Your trees are healthier because they do not have to push out a second flush of leaves. Contact us in February to schedule this treatment.
Ball Moss Spraying
Ball Moss (tillandsia recurvata) is a plant that grows on the branches of trees. Similar to Spanish Moss but not nearly as attractive, this pest is generally not a major threat to tree health. However, if the infestation is large enough, the moss can effectively shade out leaves and reduce the canopy of the tree. If the tree is also struggling with Oak Wilt this can be a problem. If the tree is already thin due to disease damage, the ball moss is more visible making the tree less attractive. We can help with the ball moss problem by spraying the tree during late winter. Contact us in January to schedule this treatment.
Educational Seminars and Training
There are many myths and mysteries surrounding Oak Wilt and tree health in general. With a little extra knowledge, you can become a better steward of the land and reduce Oak Wilt damage. We've developed several presentation packages that answer the major questions surrounding Oak Wilt in Central Texas. We'd be delighted to come to your gathering to give a presentation on Oak Wilt and related protocols. We've presented to real estate companies, industry organizations, home owners associations, gardening clubs, and neighborhood groups.
We often are asked to provide training to property owners interested in "do it yourself" tree injections. Please contact us if you're interested in this.
What we Don’t Do
We focus on Oak Wilt and related issues. This is a serious business to us and especially to our customers and we don't want to take our eye off the ball by trying to provide every tree service out there. We train our technicians thoroughly on Oak Wilt treatment protocols. It would be difficult, if not impossible to be clearing brush one day and then switch gears to the complicated task of excavating and injection of roots on your heritage Oak the next day.
We follow protocols developed and improved by the Texas Forest Service, Texas A&M, and other academic and scientific organizations. We don't use remedies that haven't had scientific validation of positive results.
