Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) has administered a federal cost-share program, the Texas Oak Wilt Suppression Program (TOWSP), to assist landowners in their fight against oak wilt since 1988. The overall goal of the TOWSP is to minimize the spread of oak wilt (Bretziella fagacearum) in Central Texas.
Trenching to contain the spread of oak wilt, roughing inside the trench, or removal of certain diseased red oaks may qualify for limited cost-shares. Cost-shares for trenching are capped at 50% of approved costs up to $5,000 per cooperator per year and multiple cooperator project costs are capped at 50% of approved costs up to $7,500 per project per year. Cost-shares for roguing or pushing are capped at 50% of approved costs up to $5,000 per cooperator per year. Cost-shares for removal of certain diseased red oaks are capped at 50% of approved costs with a maximum of $2,000 per cooperator per year.
All treatments must be installed according to TOWSP guidelines and approved by TAMFS personnel. Project guidelines include full or partial containment of the oak wilt center within installed trenches and relative isolation of the disease center from other disease centers in the immediate area. Trenches must be installed to a minimum depth of four feet and located no closer than 100 feet from symptomatic trees. Roguing or pushing must happen within the boundaries of cost-shared trench. Federal guidelines on protection of cultural resources must also be followed and approved. Red oak removals have specific guidelines and are only approved for cost-shares by TAMFS personnel. Land use and time of infection and/or death of red oaks will be considered as not all infected red oaks will form fungal mats.
An application for cost-shares must be approved before any cost-shareable treatment can begin.
Texas A&M Forest Service has seven regional offices throughout Central Texas with staff available to provide technical assistance to landowners concerned about oak wilt on their property. For more information, use the Find My Forester feature to identify and contact the TAMFS representative serving your county.
Article source and photo credit: Texas A&M Forest Service
