TL/DR –
Oak wilt, a lethal tree fungus, was identified in a cluster of oak trees in the Bird Hills Nature Area in Ann Arbor, marking the city’s first confirmed case. Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation department’s Natural Area Preservation division plans to hold an informational webinar on the disease, covering identification, reporting, and the city’s ongoing efforts to prevent its spread. Additionally, the public is being educated on how to spot infected trees to help curb the spread of the disease.
Understanding Oak Wilt: A Threat to Ann Arbor’s Oak Trees
Oak Wilt, a lethal tree fungus, has become a significant issue in Ann Arbor. To address this, the Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation department’s Natural Area Preservation division is hosting an educational webinar on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
In September, Oak Wilt was detected in a group of oak trees in the Bird Hills Nature Area. Since then, the city has been aiming to prevent the spread of this disease and help locals recognize infected trees.
NAP deputy manager Remy Long stated in a notice, “The oak wilt case at Bird Hills Nature Area was imminent. This is our first confirmed case of oak wilt, but it will be an ongoing management challenge across the parks.”
The Zoom webinar will discuss the city’s efforts, Oak Wilt identification, and how to report potential infections effectively.
Remy Long emphasized the necessity of vigilance in parks. The webinar aims to boost community awareness of the disease and the process to identify it.
The first oak wilt case in Bird Hills was reported by a community member, as per officials. Ann Arbor has over 160 parks spanning approximately 2,200 acres of land, making this the first case of Oak Wilt within a city park.
—
Read More US News