Oak Disease First Seen In Upstate NY Is Now On Long Island

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A devastating oak tree disease that made its first New York appearance in Schenectady County has now been confirmed on Long Island.

The Department of Environmental Conservation says the fungal disease known as oak wilt has been found in the Suffolk County town of Islip.

The disease was found in a neighborhood in the Schenectady County town of Glenville in 2008 and 2013. The DEC and U.S. Forest Service removed about 100 trees to prevent the disease from spreading.

In Islip, all red oaks within 150 feet of infected ones will be destroyed.

Oak kills thousands of oaks each year in forests, woodlots and home landscapes. DEC encourages people to report any occurrence where an oak tree suddenly loses its leaves in August.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]