There will be a free presentation on the invasive oak wilt in Bridgman on Saturday. City Manager Juan Ganum tells us the fungus infects trees and prevents them from nourishing themselves, leading to their deaths. Oak wilt has been a problem throughout southwest Michigan, including in Bridgman.
“We have had anecdotal information from residents in the area who have had to remove – some folks have had to remove more than ten oak trees on their property alone,” Ganum said. “We don’t have a comprehensive database of empirical data on the total number of trees, but we know it’s significant. Some trees have been lost on city property as well, down at Weko Beach and the campground.”
Ganum says the guest speaker Saturday will be Dr. David Roberts. He’s retired from Michigan State University where he was a Senior Academic Specialist. He continues to engage in research and presents lectures on various tree and plant issues through his small business known as The Plant Doctor, LLC. He’s also known as Michigan’s Tree Doctor. Roberts will show the public how anyone can help stop the spread of oak wilt. The seminar will be at 10 a.m. at the Weko Beach Beach House.
