How To Do It.

Collecting Oak Wilt samples is important when it comes to testing your oak trees for this disease. You can do it yourself or have us come out to do it for you.

Oak Wilt is spreading like wildfire throughout Aiken and beyond! We’re the only Certified Arborists to tackle it.
Call (833) 625-7827 for a free inspection.

On this page, we’ll provide all of the steps needed to accomplish the best possible sample from your tree.

While it’s not rocket-science, there are things that should be done to ensure you’re getting exactly what you need to test your tree for Oak Wilt disease.

Collecting The Oak Wilt Sample

1. Pick a Tree That’s Showing Symptoms

• Choose a tree with browning leaves still attached—ideally where the browning just started recently.
• Look for branches where the leaves are wilting or curling, not totally dry or dead.

2. Cut a Live Sample

• Use loppers or a hand saw to cut a thumb-to-wrist size branch (½”–1” thick) about 6–12 inches long.
• Cut from a part of the tree that’s still alive but showing decline—this gives the best shot at catching the disease.
• If you’re testing more than one tree, take one branch per tree and make sure they’re clearly labeled (Tree #1, Tree #2, etc.).

3. Label Each Sample

• Write on masking tape or use tags to number each branch.
• Take a quick phone photo of each tree and note where it is on the property to help track symptoms later.

4. Keep the Samples Cool

• Wrap each sample in dry paper towels or newspaper (not plastic).
• Place them in a cooler with ice packs or refrigerate them until drop-off.
• The fungus that causes Oak Wilt is sensitive—it dies quickly in heat, so keeping the sample cool is important.

Where to Drop Off Your Samples (No Mailing Required)

Drop off your samples during business hours (Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM). You do not need an appointment—just let the front desk know the samples are for Oak Wilt testing.

Clemson Extension – Aiken County Office
(Located next to the DMV in the City of Aiken)
1555 Richland Ave E, Suite 500
Aiken, SC 29801
Phone: (803) 649-6297

Cost

• The lab fee is usually $20 per tree.
• Payment is made when the Extension Office sends the sample off to Clemson’s diagnostic lab. Ask at the front desk if they need cash, check, or card.

Quick Tips

• Don’t let samples sit in a hot car or on the counter.
• Deliver samples the same day you cut them, or refrigerate overnight and drop off first thing the next day.
• If you need help interpreting results once they come back, we’re happy to walk you through them.

Let us know once the samples are dropped off or if you run into any issues. We’re here to help however we can.

We are the Oak Wilt Disease Specialists in Aiken, Pinecrest, North Augusta, Warrenville, Graniteville, Gloverville, Burnettown, Belvedere, Langley, and Clearwater, SC.