Sap feeding beetles are important in the short range spread. Red oaks which wilt in the late summer or early fall develop spore mats under their bark during the next spring. As the mats develop, the bark sloughs off or ruptures exposing the fungus. Insects are attracted to the mats. If the insects move from mats to healthy trees which have open wounds the fungus can then enter the healthy tree and move into the water conducting tissue.
Control is obtained by destroying diseased trees immediately.
Remove or burn stumps. To prevent spread between trees, cut a ditch two to three feet deep around an infected tree. Vapam can also be used for this purpose. To apply the vapam, drill holes six to eight inches apart and 15 to 24 inches deep. The Vapam is diluted one part to four parts water and one cup of the mixture is applied to each hole.