Oak Wilt Confirmed in Monroe County: What Rochester-Area Property Owners Need to Know
For the first time, oak wilt has been confirmed in Monroe County.
In late July, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) confirmed a case of oak wilt in the Town of Greece, marking the first known reported case of this serious tree disease in Monroe County.
The infected tree was identified in the area of English Road and Vintage Lane. The Town of Greece and DEC are working together to remove the infected tree and monitor surrounding oaks in the area extending from Route 390 to Long Pond Road.
For those of us who care for trees throughout Rochester and Monroe County, this is an important development.
What Is Oak Wilt?
Oak wilt is a serious fungal disease caused by Bretziella fagacearum. The fungus invades an oak tree's vascular system, interfering with its ability to transport water from the roots into the canopy.
All oak species can be affected, but trees in the red oak group, including northern red oak, pin oak, scarlet oak and black oak, are particularly vulnerable. Once infected, red oaks can decline very rapidly and may die within weeks to several months.
White oaks tend to be somewhat more resistant and may decline over years rather than weeks.
What Should Rochester Area Homeowners Look For?
This time of year is especially important for identifying potential oak wilt, as symptoms often become noticeable during the summer.
Watch your oak trees for:
Sudden wilting during the summer
Leaves turning brown along their outer edges
Leaves dropping while portions of them are still green
An unusual amount of leaf drop in July or August
Rapid thinning of the canopy
Branch dieback beginning near the top of the tree
One of the most noticeable signs is an oak that suddenly begins dropping large numbers of leaves during the middle of summer.
These symptoms don't automatically mean a tree has oak wilt. Drought stress, root problems, insects, and other diseases can produce similar symptoms. However, with a confirmed case now present in Monroe County, unusual summer decline in an oak deserves attention.
How Does Oak Wilt Spread?
Oak wilt can spread in two primary ways.
Above ground, sap-feeding beetles can pick up fungal spores from an infected tree and carry them to a healthy oak. Fresh wounds and pruning cuts can attract these beetles.
Belowground, oak wilt can spread from one tree to another through interconnected root systems. Oaks growing near one another, particularly red oaks, can form natural root grafts, creating a pathway for the fungus to move between trees.
Infected oak logs and firewood can also contribute to the movement of the disease into new areas.
Avoid Pruning Oaks Right Now
With oak wilt now confirmed locally, proper pruning practices are especially important.
Avoid unnecessary pruning or wounding of oak trees during the growing season, particularly from March through September.
Fresh cuts can attract beetles that can carry the fungus.
Whenever possible, routine oak pruning should be performed during the dormant season. Storm damage, broken limbs, and hazardous conditions are different and may require immediate attention.
If an oak is accidentally wounded during the high-risk period, DEC guidance recommends promptly covering the wound with water-based paint or an appropriate wound dressing to reduce the likelihood of beetles being attracted to it.
Why This First Monroe County Case Matters
Oak wilt isn't entirely new to our region. In 2025, infections were confirmed in nearby Ontario and Yates counties, leading to quarantine areas and restrictions on the movement of potentially infected oak material.
Until now, however, Monroe County had not had a confirmed case.
The discovery in Greece means oak wilt is no longer simply a disease we're watching move through the Finger Lakes. It is now present here in Monroe County.
That doesn't mean every declining oak has oak wilt, nor does one confirmed tree mean we're facing a widespread outbreak. It does mean that homeowners, municipalities, and tree-care professionals should pay closer attention to our local oak population.
Early detection is extremely important in slowing the spread.
What Should You Do If You're Concerned About an Oak?
If you notice an oak suddenly wilting or dropping leaves this summer:
Don't prune it unnecessarily.
Take clear photographs of the leaves, canopy, and entire tree.
Avoid moving oak firewood or freshly cut oak material from the property.
Have the tree evaluated by a qualified tree care professional.
Suspected cases can also be reported to the New York State DEC.
Most importantly, don't panic. There are many reasons an oak may look stressed during the summer, and proper identification is essential before assuming oak wilt is responsible.
Protecting Rochester's Oaks
Mature oak trees are an important part of Rochester and Monroe County's urban and suburban forests. They provide shade, wildlife habitat, and tremendous environmental and property value, and many of our area's largest oaks have been growing here for generations.
The confirmation of oak wilt in Greece makes awareness, responsible pruning and early detection more important than ever.
At High Falls Tree Service, we'll continue monitoring developments related to oak wilt in Monroe County and watching for signs of the disease as we work throughout the Rochester area.
If you have an oak on your property that is suddenly dropping leaves, showing unusual browning, or declining rapidly, give High Falls Tree Service a call. Our team can evaluate the tree and help determine the appropriate next steps.
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