Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
6/26/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Chris Feeley, Extension Forestry, (515) 294-6739, cfeeley@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Trees Owners Beware: Your Oak Trees Could be at Risk
Iowa State University (ISU) Extension forestry specialists are recommending that you do not prune your oak trees this summer. The pathogen that causes oak wilt disease can be transmitted to open wounds by a small sap-feeding beetle known as a nitidulid beetle or "picnic bug."
For this reason, avoid pruning oaks from March through September. The only exception to this rule is trimming storm-damaged or broken branches. For additional information, contact your Iowa State University Extension county office or check out "Iowa's Oaks" (RG701) on the Web at: www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/RG701.pdf.
-30-
ml: isugarden
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.