Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program awards Dr. Monique Sakalidis for her work on Epidemiology, biology and population genetics of Oak Wilt

MSU Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, and Department of Forestry’s Dr. Monique Sakalidis and her collaborators, including Dr. Deb McCullough, Dr. Bert Cregg and Dr. Jan Byrne, will focus on refining Michigan-specific oak wilt control measures. They will study the epidemiology, biology and population genetics of oak wilt. They will monitor fungal spore production and host tree susceptibility, and evaluate molecular methods to identify infected trees and the source of spread. They will also determine high-risk periods when insects are most likely to introduce the oak wilt fungus into trees.

https://forestpathology.msu.edu/research/oak-wilt/

RESOURCES

ARTICLES

DNR References

EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS

Oak Wilt: Identification, Biology and Prevention Part ONE (46:04 minutes)

  • Oak Health & Pest Issues

  • Oak Wilt Symptoms

  • Oak Wilt Transmission - Overland & Underground

  • Insect Vectors

  • Wounding

  • Root Grafts

  • Oak Wilt Life Cycle

  • Risk Periods

  • Prevention

  • Oak Wilt MI Maps

Oak Wilt: Identification, Biology and Prevention Part TWO (58:30 minutes)

  • Taking a Sample for Diagnostic Lab Submission

  • Oak Wilt Management:

    • Root Graft Disruption & Equipment

    • Trenchline Placement: Bruhn Model & Tier Tree Model

    • Fungicide Injections

    • Removal of Spore-producing trees

    • Don’t move firewood

  • Question & Answer Session

NOTE: These videos offer an overview based on scientific understanding as of April 2018. Stay tuned for future updates.