NEWS
Deadly oak tree disease confirmed in Monroe County for first time
Victoria E. FreileNew York Connect Team
July 24, 2026, 10:09 a.m. ET
State officials have confirmed the first known case of oak wilt in Monroe County after an infected tree was identified in the town of Greece
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation notified the town that one of its oak trees tested positive for the fungal disease, which is often fatal to oak trees
What is oak wilt?
Oak wilt is caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum, which blocks the movement of water and nutrients inside infected trees. Symptoms include wilting leaves, early leaf drop and branch dieback, and most infected trees eventually die
The disease was first detected in New York in 2008 and has largely remained confined to isolated areas in the Finger Lakes, including parts of Ontario and Yates counties
Oak wilt spreads primarily through sap-feeding and bark beetles that are attracted to fresh wounds on oak trees. It can also spread underground through connected root systems between neighboring oak trees
Greece, DEC working to contain spread
Town officials said they are working with the DEC to remove the infected tree and treat the stump to help prevent the disease from spreading. Nearby oak trees will also be monitored
The town is asking residents in the area west of Interstate 390 to Long Pond Road and south of English Road to Vintage Lane to watch for signs of oak wilt
- Sudden leaf wilting and early leaf drop between early July and late August.
- Leaves that turn brown starting at the edges and progressing inward.
- Branch dieback that begins at the top of the tree and moves downward.
How to report suspected oak wilt
Residents who believe an oak tree may be infected are encouraged to photograph the tree, its leaves and the base of the trunk and submit a report through the DEC’s Forest Health Reporting Form or call the DEC Forest Health Information Line at 1-866-640-0652
Officials also remind homeowners to avoid pruning or damaging oak trees between March and September, when beetles that spread the fungus are most active. Residents should also follow New York’s firewood regulations, which limit transporting untreated firewood more than 50 miles from its source
“Our tree population is one of the things that makes Greece a beautiful place to live, and we take any threat to them very seriously,” Greece Supervisor Jeff McCann said in a statement. “We are working closely with the DEC to respond to this case quickly and responsibly, and we encourage residents to keep an eye on their own oak trees and report anything unusual. A little awareness now can go a long way in protecting our neighborhoods for years to come.”
