Greece town officials say the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has confirmed its first case of oak wilt, a serious fungal disease spread by beetles that usually kills trees.
The two agencies are working to remove the infected tree and say they will monitor oak trees in the area of English Road and Vintage Lane, from 390 to Long Pond Road.
Officials say if you think you see signs of oak wilt, you should take a picture and report it to the DEC.
Those signs include: sudden leaf wilting or drop this time of year, browning leaves and branch dieback from the top down.
“Our tree population is one of the things that makes Greece a beautiful place to live, and we take any threat to them very seriously,” Greece Town Supervisor Jeff McCann said in a statement. “We are working closely with the DEC to respond to this case quickly and responsibly, and we encourage residents to keep and eye on their own oak trees and report anything unusual. A little awareness now can go a long way in protecting our neighborhoods for years to come.”
Officials say this is the first known reported case of oak wilt in Monroe County.