TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Big oaks are one of the dominant tree types across our metroparks. We even have a whole region named after them, but they’re increasingly threatened by the spread of a disease called oak wilt.
“Oak wilt is a fungal disease that specifically can target oak trees,” said LaRae Sprow, natural resources manager for Metroparks Toledo. “If an oak tree is infected with oak wilt, it’s 100% fatal to the tree.”
Oak wilt is a very slow spreading fungal disease, but the Metroparks have to remove between 150 and 200 oaks a year that are infected or killed by it. Oak Wilt can kill trees within the black oak family in just a matter of weeks, while white oaks can hang on for 4-6 years once infected…