White Oak Initiative: The TREEmendous importance of White Oak

Americorps • March 8, 2023

Oak trees are keystone species, meaning that entire ecosystems depend on them. From providing food through their acorns or acting as habitat for wildlife like birds and small mammals, oaks are an important part of Michigan’s habitat. One species in the oak family is the white oak, these trees are prized for their strength and durability in the timber industry, generating billions of dollars annually. White oak forests occupy more than 104 million acres of public and private forestland across the eastern and central United States but there’s been a developing issue with white oaks . Foresters have found that older trees are not being replaced by younger saplings at a sustainable rate due to a change in ecological factors. These factors include changes in land management practices, competition, environmental change and now a new invasive disease: oak wilt. 

Oak Wilt is a fungal disease that moves through the vascular system of the tree. The fungus spores are carried to the tree by sap-feeding beetles that feed on sap from fresh wounds caused naturally or man-made (such as pruning). The disease can also spread from already infected oaks by moving through root grafts between trees of the same species. If you notice leaf discoloration, wilted/curled leaves complete leaf drop that occurs by mid-summer, dead crowns (upper portions of the trees) or suckering (miniature tree-looking shoots) at the base of the tree please contact Michigan DNR Forest Health Division.

 

The White Oak Initiative (WOI) is comprised of a group of conservation organizations that are committed to the long-term sustainability of white oak. A recent report released by WOI shows that in the next 10 to 15 years, white oak forests will decline significantly due to ecological and anthropogenic factors. The goal of the WOI is to educate the public and landowners in order to spread information about how best to preserve and restore white oaks. Acting now offers the best chance to preserve white oaks for the future. MUCC is a proud partner of the White Oak Initiative and will be happy to provide outreach materials about white oak at our outreach events.

 

To learn more about WOI, please visit: https://www.whiteoakinitiative.org/

Recent Posts

June 2025 NRC Recap

By Justin Tomei • June 12, 2025
The Natural Resources Commission met today in Bay City. There were no orders for information or action on the agenda. The big news was the commission brought back up the order to reinstate the year-round coyote season, and a vote will happen in August to satisfy posting and notice requirements. MUCC created the Coyote Coalition to put pressure on the NRC, and with today’s inaction, we know that it’s working. With the continued support of the coalition, we will continue fighting to protect proposal G. Consider joining the Coyote Coalition , and let the commission know that inaction is not acceptable, and to follow their legal charge and responsibility. Chair Becky Humphries announced new committee memberships. Wildlife Committee will be chaired by Commissioner John Walters, Governance, Finance and Policy will be chaired by Chair Humphries, Fisheries will be chaired by Commissioner Dave Anthony. There were no other orders for information or action. The next meeting returns to Lansing on July 10.

Conservation Cohort: Training Young Conservationists

By Olivia Triltsch • June 12, 2025
Last week on June 3rd and June 4th, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) hosted a two-day training for young professionals.

PlayCleanGo Awareness Week: Taking Action on Invasive Species

By Katelyn Helsel • June 11, 2025
This week marks the annual PlayCleanGo Awareness Week , taking place from June 7-14. Hosted by the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), this week encourages outdoor enthusiasts to help stop the spread of invasive species through simple actions. This year’s theme, “Partnering Together to Protect Our Favorite Places”, focuses on the importance of collaboration with Invasives Canada and CONABIO to illustrate how actions can create meaningful change across North America.
More Posts