An invasive fungus found in Niagara Falls could cause “widespread” damage to oak trees in Ontario

According to the Invasive Species Center in Sault Ste. is an invasive fungus that has never been observed in Canada before. Marie was discovered in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

The fungus is called oak wilt and can kill a mature red oak tree in two to six weeks.

Lauren Bell, program manager for the Invasive Species Center, said the agency found only three dead oak trees in the Niagara region, but residents should keep an eye out for more trees.

“What’s really important is that people keep their eyes down to make sure they’re aware of the signs and symptoms,” Bell said.

She said there are several signs that a tree has oak wilt. The most noticeable sign, she said, is a “fungal mat or pad of pressure” that occurs under the bark and can be white, gray, or black.

“You’ll see cracks along the bark of the oak tree, and that’s an indication that a fungal plaque has formed,” she said, adding that the mushroom plaque smells sweet and fruity.

“The best comparison to this smell is that Juicy Fruit Gum smells pretty similar.”

Other signs of oak wilt include wilting or bronzing leaf edges starting from the tree canopy down and leaves falling before fall.

What to do if you notice oak wilt?

According to Bell, if you spot a dead oak tree, you can Report it to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

To limit the spread of oak wilt, the CFIA recommends not cutting down trees between April and October.

Bell said that felling trees at this time of year releases the sweet smell of the fungal mats and attracts Nitidulidae beetles, which transmit oak wilt spores to other trees.

Both Bell and CFIA are also asking people to burn wood collected locally and not ship firewood long distances because the wood may harbor invasive species.

In conclusion, Bell recommends “monitoring your oak trees for these signs and if you suspect oak wilt is present or notice a problem with your oak trees, you can report it to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.”