Oak wilt is one of the most serious threats to San Antonio's tree canopy, and red oaks are especially vulnerable. The disease can move through a red oak's vascular system in a matter of weeks, which is part of why catching it early matters so much.
The signs to watch for: leaves that develop a bronze or reddish discoloration starting at the edges, wilting that spreads quickly rather than gradually, and leaf drop happening well outside of any normal seasonal pattern. Live oaks show different symptoms and spread the disease underground through connected root systems, which is why a single infected tree can threaten an entire block.
Pruning wounds are a major entry point for the fungus that causes oak wilt, which is why timing and technique on any cut near a live oak matters as much as the cut itself. An arborist who understands the disease will treat wound care as seriously as the pruning.
Do you have any red oaks or live oaks on your property that have looked a little off this summer?
#OakWiltTexas
A close-up photo of oak leaves showing discoloration, or a technician examining a tree canopy on site, will carry this post better than a general landscape shot.
Canva text suggestion: "Bronzed Leaves Could Mean Oak Wilt" or "Oak Wilt Moves Fast. Catch It Early."