Future of oak trees not all ‘doom and gloom’

A deadly disease continues to spread through the oak trees in Michigan, including Allegan and Ottawa counties, Ben Savoie told attendees at the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission free winter workshop on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

“But it’s not all doom and gloom. You can manage the spread,” said the conservation district forester for a nine-county region.

He explained the importance of oaks in Michigan, how to spot oak wilt that is transferred through a fungus on the backs of tiny beetles, and how to handle the disease.

“It’s a difficult situation for sure but it’s something we can work with,” he said.

For information on oak wilt, visit here.

The winter workshops

Savoie’s talk was the third presentation in this season’s winter program series.

The parks commission started its winter programs in early 2025 with presentations including hands-only CPR, mushroom identification and butterfly gardens.

This winter’s programs started in November for Native American Heritage Month with a workshop on “Talking Sticks,” an object traditionally used in council circles to designate who had the right to speak. In January, the workshop led by Ari Henson of the Allegan Conservation District focused on techniques to remove invasive species.

The March event

The next workshop is 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14, and features Andy Rozendaal, farm director of Eighth Day Farm in Holland, who will lead a Kitchen Herb Garden presentation with suggestions for using the herbs in cooking by Corey Mitchell from The Beard and The Gal.

The free event is at the Carriage House at The Felt Estate, 6579 138^th Ave.

Rozendaal will be bringing herbs to demonstrate a small kitchen garden planter and gardening information for those who have more garden space.

For more information, contact Mary Jo Bertolino at parks@laketowntwp.org.