Oak wilt was first noticed in Canada in Niagara Falls. Now, 3 reports have come in from Niagara-on-the-Lake
In December 2021, a fungus that was known for killing almost all oak trees was only 500 meters from the Canadian border.
Last month, oak wilt was found in Niagara Falls, which is on the other side of the border.
At the time, it was Canada’s first and only sighting, but not anymore.
The federal government says that the tree disease has been seen in Springwater, Ontario, which is north of Toronto, and at least three times in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
“On the properties where these detections have been made, there are restrictions on how people can move around. A federal government page says, “We are working with other federal, provincial, and municipal governments to survey the areas and figure out what to do next.”
People in Niagara-on-the-Lake are being told by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to look for signs of the disease in oak trees.
What is oak wilt
On the website of the federal government, it says that a fungus calledBretziella fagacearum causes oak wilt.
It says that red oak trees are especially at risk and can die in one season.
“Oak wilt is naturally spread by root grafts or beetles that carry spores from fungi. Oak wilt doesn’t hurt the health of people or animals,” the page says.
Richard Wilson, a retired forest program pathologist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, told CBC Hamilton in the past that oak wilt is similar to Dutch elm disease, beech bark disease, and white pine blister rust, all of which have caused “widespread damage.”
Lauren Bell, who is in charge of programs at the Invasive Species Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has said in the past that some signs of oak wilt are:
- A fungal mat that is white, gray, or black.
- The mat can be seen when the bark of the oak tree starts to crack.
- It smells sweet and fruity, like Juicy Fruit gum.
- Starting at the top of the tree, leaves fall off or start to wilt and turn brown at the edges.
How other towns are getting read
Cities like Hamilton that are close to Niagara are getting ready for the effects of oak wilt.
A city spokesperson, Lauren Vastano, said that Hamilton’s plan is being made based on a federal response framework.
“This management plan will also be based on what the city staff has learned from putting the emerald ash borer response plan into action,” Vastano said.
“The project manager of forest health has taught forestry workers and arborists how to identify oak wilt, and many environmental services workers are also learning how to identify oak wilt from the project manager of forest health.
How to stop oak wilt and tell people about i
From April to November, the federal government says people shouldn’t cut back oak trees.
They shouldn’t also carry firewood.
If someone sees oak wilt, they should go online to the website of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.