In June 2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced the first confirmed presence of oak wilt in Niagara Falls followed by a second in Springwater, Ontario near Barrie. No cases have been confirmed in Burlington, however, the City is proactively sharing tips with residents on how to prevent the spread of oak wilt locally, and what to do if they suspect oak wilt is present in the community.
What can I do to reduce the risk of spreading oak wilt?
- Avoid pruning oak trees between April and November. Minimizing wounds on healthy trees during the flight period of insect carriers helps maintain the health of oak trees.
- Do not move firewood. In addition to insect carriers, oak wilt is spread through the movement of infected wood.
- Understand the signs and symptoms of oak wilt. Symptoms of oak wilt include dull green, brown or yellow leaves, cracks in the trunk, white, grey or black fungus as well as early and sudden leaf drop.
- The City is asking residents who have oak trees on their private property to inspect their trees for oak wilt. If residents suspect oak wilt to be present on their oak tree or on a City-owned oak tree, they are asked to report it the CFIA and the City at 905-335-7777 or email city@burlington.ca.
Quick Facts
- Oak wilt is a vascular disease of oak trees, caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum. The fungus grows on the outer sapwood of oak trees, restricting the flow of water and nutrients through the tree.
- Oak wilt can damage and destroy an oak tree in a single season.
- All oak species are susceptible and at risk.
- Oak wilt poses no threat to humans, animals, bees or insects.
- Oak wilt is spread through root-to-root contact between infected and uninfected trees, insects that move spores from infected trees to healthy trees, and movement of wood products such as firewood.
- There is no treatment for oak trees infected with oak wilt. Once an oak tree is infected with oak wilt, removal is the only option, and the CFIA needs to be notified.
For more information
For further information on the impacts of oak wilt and how to identify signs and symptoms of oak wilt, visit: burlington.ca/pestsanddiseases.
Connection to the Climate Resilient Burlington plan
Trees and natural areas, or green infrastructure, are an important part of being a climate resilient community. Trees provide:
- Shade and cooling, reducing the urban heat island effect (days are hotter in areas without trees than areas with lots of trees). This is becoming more important as our summers get hotter.
- Homes and food for many species including birds, animals, beneficial bugs, etc. increasing biodiversity
- Reduced water flow by absorbing some of the water reducing the risk of flooding and soil erosion
- A natural filter cleaning water before it enters our creeks and lake
- A home for carbon (known as carbon capture or sequestration)
Take Action Burlington! Let’s work together to protect our trees. Collectively we can make a difference!
Take Action Burlington 
What a crying shame there are so few old oaks as it is, after watching the die off of large Ash trees and before that the huge Elms the future planet as we know it makes one feel hopeless. Forest fires in the north and blights in the south , what kind of trees our grandchildren will get shade under is anyone’s guess.
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People have be to be told about pruning when is the best time.
Also firewood in my opinion is a big threat and people should be aware of the dangers of moving firewood.
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Agreed. The post includes tips such as not pruning oak trees between April and November and not moving firewood.
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