Is it safe to mulch with or burn the wood from diseased trees?
Chipping or shredding the wood from infected trees to use as mulch is an acceptable method of utilizing the wood. The oak wilt fungus has certain moisture and temperature requirements in order to live. The pathogen is destroyed once the moisture content of the wood drops below 38 percent. Chipping or shredding allows the wood to dry out quickly, thereby killing the fungus. Smoke from burning infected wood will not spread oak wilt. In fact, burning diseased logs actually kills the oak wilt fungus. The pathogen is destroyed at temperatures of 95 degrees F. However, diseased red oak firewood (from Spanish, Shumard, Blackjack, Water oaks, etc.) should not be stored on a homesite because the wood could contain fungal spores or insects which carry the spores and have the potential to infect healthy trees nearby.
