Oak wilt is a fast-moving fungal disease that is fatal to all red oak species once infected. It spreads through connected root systems and insect activity, putting nearby oaks at serious risk.
During the consult, we inspect your trees for signs of oak wilt, including leaf discoloration, premature leaf drop, and patterns of decline. If fungal mats are present, they can help confirm the disease on-site. If not, we can collect and send samples to a lab for testing to determine whether oak wilt is present.
We also evaluate surrounding trees and site conditions. When oak wilt is confirmed or strongly suspected, any oaks within graftable root distance should be considered at risk due to underground root connections.
After the inspection, you’ll receive a written report outlining what we found along with clear recommendations for next steps. This may include monitoring, root disruption (trenching), preventative treatments for nearby trees, or removal when necessary to help protect surrounding oaks.
Consult fee: $350
Level 2 is $250. This is an assessment from the ground only but much more in-depth than level 1. This is where the list you have for assessment process should be listed. Comes with written report of findings and management plans.
Level 3 price is $500. This includes an aerial inspection of the tree. May also include other measures if needed so price is subject to change depending on the situation.
ISA certified arborist #MI-4771A
Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
Oak Wilt Identification & Management Qualified Number MI-151
List that you can find proof of my credentials at treesaregood.com
1. How do I know if my oak tree has oak wilt?
The most common warning signs appear in the upper canopy first: leaves suddenly wilt, turn dull green or bronze, and drop from the tree — often while still partially green. Red oaks (including pin, black, and northern red oaks) typically decline rapidly, sometimes within 4–6 weeks of infection. White oaks decline more slowly, often over a year or more. Because several other tree problems mimic these symptoms, a professional diagnosis from an ISA Certified Arborist is the only reliable way to confirm oak wilt before taking action.
2. When is the worst time of year for oak wilt to spread?
Oak wilt spreads most aggressively in West Michigan from April through July, when sap-feeding beetles are active and carry fungal spores from infected trees to fresh wounds on healthy oaks. For this reason, we strongly recommend avoiding any pruning, trimming, or wounding of oak trees between April 15 and July 15. If your oak is damaged by a storm during this window, call us immediately — proper wound treatment within 24 hours can prevent infection.
3. Can oak wilt spread to my neighbor’s trees or the rest of my yard?
Yes, and this is what makes oak wilt so destructive. The disease spreads two ways: above ground through beetles carrying spores to wounded trees, and below ground through interconnected root systems. Oaks of the same species growing within roughly 50 feet of each other often share grafted roots, allowing the fungus to move tree-to-tree underground. Stopping this spread is a central part of every management plan we create — and the sooner we assess the situation, the more trees we can typically save.
4. What does an oak wilt consult actually include?
Your on-site consult covers a full visual inspection of the suspected tree and any nearby oaks, symptom evaluation, and discussion of recent property activity that may have contributed to infection. If oak wilt is confirmed or strongly suspected, we’ll walk you through a customized management plan that may include root graft disruption, removal recommendations, preventive fungicide treatments for high-value healthy oaks, and pruning timing guidance. You’ll receive clear, practical next steps — no pressure, no guesswork.
5. Can oak wilt be cured once a tree is infected?
Unfortunately, there’s no reliable cure for an oak that’s already showing significant symptoms, especially in red oaks. Our focus is on accurate diagnosis, containing the spread to protect surrounding healthy trees, and using preventive fungicide injections on high-value oaks that are at risk but not yet infected. Early action makes the biggest difference — a consult at the first sign of trouble can mean the difference between losing one tree and losing an entire stand of oaks.
Protect your oaks before the disease spreads. Call (231) 340-2777 or request your on-site consult today — our certified arborists will diagnose the issue and walk you through a clear, customized management plan.
