Oak Wilt is a fungal disease which can quickly kill an oak tree. The tree reacts to the presence of the fungus by plugging its own cambial tissue in an attempt to block the fungus from spreading further. This plug then prevents water and nutrients from travelling up the trunk of the tree, eventually killing it.

Oak Wilt can spread via two basic means. Transmission via root grafts can kill the tree the quickest. In order to prevent root graft disease transmission a trench should be dug between an infected tree and any nearby oak. This will sever any root grafts that could cary the disease to neighboring plants.

The second method of infection is via sap beetles. These beetles are attracted to the bleeding sap of the oak tree. Because of this problem oaks should never be pruned in the spring months. Transmission via beetles is slower to kill the tree because of its tendency to infect areas further away from the main trunk.