oak wilt

American  

noun

Plant Pathology.

1. a disease of oaks, characterized by wilting and discoloration of the leaves and defoliation, usually starting at and spreading from the top of the tree and the ends of the branches, caused by a fungus, Chalara quercina.

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Etymology

Origin of oak wilt

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

oak wilt

The cost for treating oak wilt, or any tree disease that requires a fungicide injection, depends on the tree’s diameter at breast height, or DBH.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 4, 2026

Leaf blister, sooty mold, oak wilt, leaf scorch: Been there, done that.

From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate

Developments in Research In 1942 a report from the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station revealed that the oak wilt disease was caused by a fungus, and research programs were started early in Wisconsin and Iowa.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 43rd Annual Meeting Rockport, Indiana, August 25, 26 and 27, 1952 by Northern Nut Growers Association

In Illinois experiments are being conducted with insects in relation to the spread of oak wilt.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 43rd Annual Meeting Rockport, Indiana, August 25, 26 and 27, 1952 by Northern Nut Growers Association

The National Oak Wilt Research Committee at Memphis, Tennessee, supports in part an intensive oak wilt research program in coordination with several midwestern universities and with the U.S.D.A.,

From Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 43rd Annual Meeting Rockport, Indiana, August 25, 26 and 27, 1952 by Northern Nut Growers Association