Live Oak Wilt
I reside (part time) in a hill country subdivision in which it's not unusual to see pockets of live oak wilt. It's a deadly disease which will kill 99% of trees infected. This disease spreads three ways - either through the root system, insects moving from one wound to another (not very common), and by humans using cutting implements moving from infected trees to healthy trees.
When cutting/pruning trees it's commonly know in these areas that it's really important to treat all cuts (over 1/2" diameter) with tree paint as well as treating your cutting tools (chain saw blades, pruners, etc.) with Lysol as you move from yard to yard. OK that's the standard rule and very easy to do as you go along. Right?
So here's the deal. The disease spreads through the root system at appx. 80 ft. per year which we can plan for and treat our trees (expensive) ahead of it. Insects we don't worry too much about because it's kinda rare to see that problem. But we know it's coming. Maybe a few years down the road. But then along comes the local county trimming crew which is completly aware of the problem and of the very easy precautions you take so as not to spread the disease and of course they start trimming at the infected trees thus contaminating their equipment, and then over a period of about an hour spread the fungus all the way down the street. Asking them if they are properly treating trees and equipment you only get a "huh?" from the foreman on the job.
So suddenly we are all facing the very expensive treatment process or the other option, the very expensive cost of removing the dead trees. And it comes NOW instead of a couple years down the line when you've kinda planned for it.
Somehow I feel better now... (not)
When cutting/pruning trees it's commonly know in these areas that it's really important to treat all cuts (over 1/2" diameter) with tree paint as well as treating your cutting tools (chain saw blades, pruners, etc.) with Lysol as you move from yard to yard. OK that's the standard rule and very easy to do as you go along. Right?
So here's the deal. The disease spreads through the root system at appx. 80 ft. per year which we can plan for and treat our trees (expensive) ahead of it. Insects we don't worry too much about because it's kinda rare to see that problem. But we know it's coming. Maybe a few years down the road. But then along comes the local county trimming crew which is completly aware of the problem and of the very easy precautions you take so as not to spread the disease and of course they start trimming at the infected trees thus contaminating their equipment, and then over a period of about an hour spread the fungus all the way down the street. Asking them if they are properly treating trees and equipment you only get a "huh?" from the foreman on the job.
So suddenly we are all facing the very expensive treatment process or the other option, the very expensive cost of removing the dead trees. And it comes NOW instead of a couple years down the line when you've kinda planned for it.
Somehow I feel better now... (not)
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