MI HR0265

Declares May 2020 as Oak Wilt Awareness Month in Michigan to raise awareness about the fungal disease threatening the state's oak trees.

Oak wilt is an invasive fungal pathogen responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of oak trees across Michigan and the eastern and central United States.

The disease spreads through sap beetles from infected trees to freshly wounded healthy oak trees, particularly during spring and early summer, with rapid lethality to red oak species.

New infections can be prevented by avoiding unnecessary pruning or wounding of oak trees between April 15 and July 15, and by preventing the transport of infected firewood and unprocessed wood products.

Nearly 500 million oak trees in Michigan provide wildlife habitat, recreational value, and economic benefits through forestry and wood products industries that would be significantly impacted by oak wilt spread.