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Pesotum piceae

Oak wilt

Description

The mass die-back of oaks, also known as oak graphiosis, caused the death of oak stands throughout Europe from the mid-1970s to the end of the 1980s. The disease is caused by tracheomycosis fungi from the genera Ophiostoma spp. and Ceratocystis spp., the currently valid name of the fungus is Pesotum ssp. The main symptoms of infection include the death thin branches, later also side branches and all parts of the crown. Dark spots appear on the cross section of the trunk. The oak bark beetle Scolytus intricatus is probably involved in the transmission of spores. The fungus also infects acorns, which become a source of infection in new locations.

Symptom

Death thin branches, later also side branches and all parts of the crown. Dark spots appear on the cross section of the trunk.

Tree Species: Oak

Part of a plant- attacked: Tree trunk

Pest significance: Very harmful

Pest Category: Fungi

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes