Deadly fungal disease threatening trees found in 5 Long Island townsKrista McNally has the latest on the fungus. BABYLON, Long Island (WABC) -- Long Island arborists and state officials are urging residents to watch for signs of laurel wilt, a fungal disease that kills trees in the laurel family and has led to a quarantine in five Long Island towns. Arborist Evan Dackow of Jolly Green Tree and Trunk Care said he has responded to calls about infected trees on Long Island. Jessica Cancelliere, a forestry research scientist with the DEC, said the affected tree species play a significant role in some Long Island forests. "On Long Island, there's actually, you know, quite large, trees.