The City of Boerne has begun conducting oak wilt mediation at the City Cemetery. The biggest thing people will see are numerous tress that have been tagged with color-coded tape to indicate the type of treatment they have received. Furthermore, these activities also include the removal of some trees that have died from oak wilt infection.
With oak wilt being present in nearly all Texas Hill Country counties, the City's ultimate goal is to slow the spread and hopefully reduce the impact on the oak trees in the cemetery.
"We understand the importance of maintaining the trees in our public spaces, and that is why we are taking proactive steps now," Director of Parks and Recreation Lissette Jimenez said.
Recently, the Boerne Parks and Recreation Department had 20 live oak trees treated by a certified arborist near where the tree removal is taking place. Additionally, there is another batch of trees within approximately 100 feet that are being treated with a different preventive.
These actions have been timed appropriately to provide the maximum benefit to the trees and give them the best chance at survival.
“The therapeutic treatment of infected oaks and preventative treatments of healthy oaks near infected trees is an effective tool used to slow the spread of oak wilt,” City Environmental Planner/Urban Forester Ryan Bass said. “Because live oaks often grow in clusters, commonly referred to as a motte, their root systems are connected allowing the fungus that causes oak wilt to easily infect nearby trees.”
The City is hopeful these actions will slow the spread of the disease.
What is Oak Wilt?
Oak wilt is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum, which disables the water-conducting system (xylem) in oaks and leads to the eventual death of the tree. All oaks can be infected by the fungus that causes oak wilt; however, some oak species are affected more than others. Successful management of oak wilt depends on correct diagnosis and an understanding of how the pathogen and different oak species interact.
Oak Wilt Management in Boerne
The City of Boerne's Urban Forestry program provides care and maintenance of trees on City-owned properties and advocates for the preservation of existing trees on residential and commercial development projects within the City limits. Use the links below to learn more about oak wilt management and the oak wilt incentive program.