New York environmental officials have confirmed the state’s first case of laurel wilt, an invasive and deadly plant disease, on Long Island — raising concerns about its impact on forests and wildlife.
The discovery was made in Northport, where a private landowner reported a dying sassafras tree. Testing by Cornell and state agencies confirmed it as laurel wilt, a fungus spread by the redbay ambrosia beetle.
A new threat to New York’s forests
“This marks a troubling new chapter in the spread of this invasive plant disease,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “We are working with partners to understand the impact and raise public awareness.”
Laurel wilt affects trees and shrubs in the laurel family, especially sassafras and spicebush, both native to southern New York. Despite the name, mountain laurel is not impacted.
The disease has already spread through several southeastern states. Prior to this detection, its northernmost reach was Kentucky and Virginia.
Why it matters
The loss of sassafras and spicebush would impact local wildlife and ecosystems:
- Spicebush berries are vital for migratory birds in the fall.
- Leaves from both species feed the larvae of butterflies like the spicebush swallowtail.
- Their decline could reduce forest biodiversity and invite other invasive species.
What to look for
Signs of laurel wilt include:
- Sudden wilting of leaves
- Dark streaks under the bark
- Tiny entry holes with fine sawdust “toothpicks” protruding
If you spot a potentially infected sassafras or spicebush:
- Report it at nyimapinvasives.org
- Do not move affected wood
- Chip and mulch it on-site if removal is necessary
Moving firewood is a major way the disease spreads. The DEC urges campers to use local or heat-treated firewood to slow its movement.
Public info session Sept. 10
Cornell University will host an information session on Sept. 10 to discuss laurel wilt and its potential impact. For details, visit the DEC’s Laurel Wilt webpage.
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