Wilt Diseases

Wilt diseases are a serious threat to our urban landscape and forests. The wilt diseases (such as oak wilt, Dutch elm disease, and verticillium wilt) are vascular systemic diseases and should be sampled differently than other plant issues. We have resumed the oak wilt PCR testing.

A completed Plant Diagnostic Form is required for all submissions.

  1. Select branches that have a good transition from dying to living tissue. 

    • For help in selecting these transition areas, look at the leaves on the branches.  If leaves are beginning to wilt towards the end of the branch but the branch still has some healthy leaves present, select this type of limb.

  2. Select 5 or 6 branches that are about the diameter of your index finger (about 1 inch) and cut them to about 8-12 inches long.

  3. Enclose them in to a plastic bag to maintain the tissues moist.

  4. Place the bag with the branches in a shipping box.

  5. Complete a Plant Diagnostic Form for the sample and place it in a separate plastic bag to protect it from any moisture.

  6. Seal the box and ship using next day delivery service.

Samples submitted digitally: 
Send completed submission form and include as an attachment with relevant digital images in an email message to ppdc@osu.edu
Click for more Digital Sample submission details. 

Samples mailed:
C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Plant Diagnostic Clinic 
Ohio State CFAES Wooster Campus
c/o Dr. Francesca Rotondo
234 Selby Hall, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691

Samples hand-delivered:
Requires coordination with Dr. Rotondo: (330-263-3721) | rotondo.11@osu.edu