In 2002, the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle was first detected in Georgia. The redbay ambrosia beetle carries a pathogen that causes laurel wilt, a devastating disease of trees in the laurel family. Since 2002, the redbay ambrosia beetle has spread across the southeastern states, including Texas. With proper knowledge, you can identify laurel wilt in your yard and community and help us protect our forests.
What is Laurel Wilt?
The laurel wilt disease is a deadly fungal infection spread by the redbay ambrosia beetle which affects trees in the Laurel family. The cycle begins when adult female redbay ambrosia beetles emerge from an infected tree, fly to a healthy tree, and deposit fungal spores. The spores cause a fungus to grow inside the tree, which blocks its ability to obtain nutrients or water. The result is rapid decline and death within four to ten weeks.
The most frequently infected tree is the redbay laurel, which can be found in several different locations within The Woodlands. Laurel wilt has been detected by The Woodlands Township Forestry Division as of May 15, 2025. To track the spread of laurel wilt in the United States, visit the USDA Forest Service Laurel Wilt Public Dashboard.
The redbay tree is the major host plant for the beautiful Palamedes Swallowtail Butterfly. As tree death occurs, this butterfly is losing the food preferred by its caterpillars, redbay leaves.
How to Protect Our Forests and the Palamedes Swallowtail Butterfly
Since there is no known treatment for laurel wilt, the tree must be removed and the wood destroyed. The Texas Invasive Species Institute notes that “signs and symptoms of laurel wilt are easy to recognize and include discolored foliage and staining of the sapwood of the host plant. Often, noodle-like exudations of sawdust are visible where the small ambrosia beetles penetrate the wood.” If you’re unsure whether or not a tree has laurel wilt, look for the following symptoms:
- Leaf discoloration, often beginning in part of the tree’s crown
- Wilting of branch tips and leaves
- Dieback of branches and twigs
- Thin tubes of sawdust on the trunk or large limbs (evidence of beetle boring)
- Dark brown or black streaks in the sapwood beneath the bark
To prevent further spread, the Township may remove infected trees that are still alive on Township property. If you believe a tree on Woodlands Township property may be infected, please report the tree by calling 281-210-3800 or by reporting through TheWoodlands311 app.
For trees on private property and on residential lots, the Township urges residents to watch out for signs of the disease and have them removed by a certified arborist. The International Society of Arboriculture’s arborist search tool can assist you in finding the right arborist for your needs. When removing trees on private property with laurel wilt, be sure to also report it here or notify the nearest Texas A&M Forest Service office to aid tracking efforts.
Don’t Move Firewood
Removing the dying tree is important because redbay ambrosia beetle larvae and beetles remain inside the tree. Infected trees must be destroyed by chipping the wood or burning it. The wood should not be moved since this also moves the redbay ambrosia beetle larvae and adult beetles to new locations. Learn more about best practices for firewood here.
Following these guidelines and recommendations will help control the spread of laurel wilt and protect our forests here in The Woodlands.
