Oak Wilt and Fungus

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Oak Wilt

HYG-3306-01

Pierluigi (Enrico) Bonello

Oak wilt is a serious and often deadly vascular disease of oaks. The

fungal pathogen, Ceratocystis fagacearum, is believed to be native to

the United States and is distributed throughout the Midwest and

Texas. In Ohio it has been reported from the majority of eighty-eight

counties.

What the Pathogen Does

The fungus grows into and throughout the water conductive tissues

(that is, the sapwood) of the host. The fungus plugs the vessels with

its own body (mycelium) and spores, but it also causes a defensive

reaction by the tree to stop the fungal spread by actively plugging

its own vessels. These processes interfere with water uptake and

cause a wilting syndrome which often results in death of the tree.

This is the same thing that is happening to the Bats.... They are

starving to death and are very dehydrated.

I believe this is the very same condition that is happening to me. Oh

but wait, hmmmm.... maybe I'm just a little CRAZY! ya thats it...it's

all in my head...and my Left Foot isn't really swollen 4 times it's

normal size.... After all, The Infectious Disease and Epidemiologist

Dr. I saw at my HMO...(the one I work for) or should I say " worked

for " since I'm now disabled, He said, " You're Legs and Feet look

NORMAL " .....Riiiiiiight, normal is having the hair burnt off of your

legs and bright red skin and and white fungus seeping from every pore.

And this next one is a real doozy! I'm now in a wheelchair if I have

to traval any distance, due to severe weakness and extreme foot

swelling. But the Dr says there is nothing wrong with me and I am A-

OK to return to work! at a job that requires me to be very fast paced

on my feet for 10 hours a day. So I'm thinking, maybe I should show

up to work in my wheelchair and say...OK where shall I park? and OH

I'm going to need help going to the bathroom!