The Department of Natural Resources staff recently that identified 318 red oak trees are infected with oak wilt (OW), and 336 elm trees infected with Dutch elm disease (DED)-statistics had dropped from 2005's This 341 oaks and 615 elms identified in 2005.
OW can be more successfully managed than DED, due to the tools available for each disease. OW can be controlled with root graft barriers, fungicide injections, and sanitation of infected trees while DED is largely limited to sanitation of infected trees.
The City government will continue with inspections and re-inspections to assure all trees identified with OW and DED are removed and properly disposed. Cost share funds will be dispersed in early December to assist residents with expenses associated with treating and removing diseased trees.
