Oak Wilt Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Oak Wilt Management to begin at Hickory Grove Park

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026   I   By Madi Nolte, Community Engagement Coordinator

Oak wilt, a fatal fungal disease, has been identified at Hickory Grove Park and Story County Conservation (SCC) is moving quickly with preventative measures to protect healthy trees nearby. To mitigate the spread of disease throughout the park, crews will soon begin the difficult but necessary removal of oak trees between Oriole Ridge Lodge and Bobwhite Shelter.

Oak wilt is an aggressive disease that can be carried by beetles and travel through interconnected root systems. It was first observed in the park in 2018 and has been under close surveillance since. SCC attempted fungicide treatments and select tree thinning to reduce the spread, but these efforts did not solve the issue. 

SCC has developed an Oak Wilt Management Plan with guidance from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Removing infected trees is a proactive measure. This is the most effective approach for mitigating spread and protecting healthy trees nearby. By acting quickly during winter, when beetles are dormant, the disease is less likely to spread and protects overall forest health.  

While unfortunate to lose these trees, SCC remains committed to being a responsible steward of public and natural resources. Many of the white and bur oaks slated for removal have hardwood value. SCC plans to hire a contractor to harvest the timber and sell the logs. All proceeds generated will be reinvested into this project, helping to offset costs of tree removal and replanting efforts.

What’s next:

The immediate focus is on disease mitigation and SCC will continue to closely monitor the edges of the affected area. Any trees showing signs of disease will be quickly tested and removed as necessary.  

Disease containment is the first phase. The affected areas will be replanted with a diverse mix of native tree species, including shagbark hickory, black walnut and others. This approach will create a resilient forest ecosystem, less susceptible to widespread disease outbreak in the future. Oaks will be replanted at this site once oak wilt control measures are completed.

For safety reasons, park users are asked to follow posted signage near work zones while tree removal is underway. 

Learn More

Watch our recorded webinar video below for a deeper dive into the history of oak wilt at Hickory Grove Park and in Iowa in general, management details, and more.

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