A fungal disease called Oak Wilt has been detected in Southern Ontario.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist, Ian Jean, says it's been present in Michigan since the 1970's, but earlier this summer it was found in the Niagara Falls area and in Barrie.
Jean says this is not likely going to be the next Emerald Ash Borer.
“It doesn't move really quickly on its own. There are insects that can spread the disease but it's not like Ash Borer where there's a specific insect that targets the Oak trees that spreads it in a systematic way. So I think it's going to be more of a localized impact," Jean stated.
But Jean says in an area where it's discovered it can be fairly severe. He says oak trees can form root grafts with other oak trees, so once it's in one tree it can spread to another tree through those underground roots, and getting rid of them requires digging those roots up.
“One of the biggest things we can do to prevent it coming to the area is to not move fire wood. So it doesn't move very well just on its own. To get into new areas, to move a long distance, it's usually through people moving wood or fire wood. So if we can prevent that that will help reduce the number of locations that it finds," Jean added.
Jean says it's difficult to identify oak fire wood specifically, so it's best not to transport any fire wood and just buy some when you reach your destination and avoid transporting wood.
Jean also points out people don't normally carry wood across the border and that's why it's taken so long to get here, but now that's it's here, not moving firewood is the best way to prevent it from spreading.
