Disease problem

fdgsogc91 · 14th February 2008, 07:29 AM

I have a tree on my boulevard that has conctracted some sort of disease I suspect. I have attached some images for your review. It started out on some branches which I simply cut off. Now it has spread to the trunk.

What can I do? Is there any hope for this tree?

Thanks,
Francesco.

TreeDimensional · 14th February 2008, 09:43 AM

Hi fdgsogc91,

The first thing to do is determine who is the owner of the tree. You mention that it is a boulevard tree, which would lead me to think that it is a City owned tree. If its not your tree, let the people who own it deal with the problem. You should call the Urban Forestry division of the city or call City Hall.

I believe that is Black Knot, which is a a fungal infection. This is a highly infectious disease that spreads to the members of the Prunus species (choke cherry, mayday.......). It can be spread by water runoff, birds, and contaminated pruning tools etc. Check out the following link: City of Saskatoon ? Departments ? Infrastructure Services ? Parks

Good luck and welcome to Tree World.

fdgsogc91 · 14th February 2008, 10:58 AM

Thanks.

I see the solution is to prune. Which I have done but I guess it spread anyway.

I also reported it to the City. And got mildly chastised for pruning a City tree.

Thanks again.

TreeDimensional · 14th February 2008, 11:26 AM

Yes, the local government takes that sort of thing seriously. The photos you posted were of the trunk, and the explanation from the previously mentioned site, is of a limb.

I guess you could say you got two answers to one question, you are aware of the minicipal regs and you know what black knot looks like.

Hang around some more and you could really get an education.

There is a lot of stuff on this site that will assist the average homeowner in working on their own trees and shrubs, but don't forget there are risks working on trees that could effect the rest of your life. Know when to stop and bring in the professionals.

treevet · 15th February 2008, 08:01 PM

This appears to be a Canadian Cherry and not to contradict TD,in my opinion this could be a frost crack caused by a sudden extreme change in temperature. A third diagnoses might be that it was caused by a flush cut, or a cut in the middle of the canker that was through the branch collar causing vascular dieback as usual.

The shiny globe has no need for second opinions. There is a borer (larvae) within the are of the hard jelly appearing substance.

TreeDimensional · 15th February 2008, 08:47 PM

Thanks Treevet, I went back and re-read my original post, and admit that I may have fell short on my identification. There is a possibility that the tree is a Thunderchild crabapple (Malus X astringens). It seems odd that a city would use either of these species as boulevard trees, but hey I've seen them use Mountain ash before LOL. The fruit can be a mess, but the bird watchers get a real giggle when the fruit freezes and ferments in the fall. Birds flying under the influence. BFUTI LOL

While black knot usually effects lateral, it isn't uncommon to see it on lower stems and wounds. The other culprit may be fire blight. Both of the pathogens are easily spread.

As for the wound, it may have been flush cut, but due to the length of the wound it appears that the limb may of failed (Kids hanging on it or car door...). The wound (if it failed) would of had to have been bark traced as there is good callus developed around the whole wound.

I guess the city employees will have to determine what it is and what to do. I hope fdgbs.. is around when the city guys show up, and they can follow up here to let us know if long-distance diagnosis works. LOL

treevet · 15th February 2008, 09:15 PM

If that is a cherry as I suspect, when borers get that involved there may be no hope for survival.

I think I had a BFUTI back in the 80 s, TD, and it cost me 3 points against my license and a 100$ fine!

treevet · 16th February 2008, 06:31 AM

Another point could be made here. You have 2 well educated, very experienced Certified Arborists with a myriad of preliminary diagnosis here. Further investigation is necessary to ascertain eventual correct or possibly no treatment and this may be limited by determination of ownership of tree for future liability concerns.

treeseer · 17th February 2008, 09:52 PM

I agree it does not look like the black knot I see in NC. Cankers can often be excised and sanitized; better to clean it than cut it if the branch is key to the tree's form.

I care a lot less about who owns the tree, IF the practitioner is qualified, it is better to ask forgiveness...

Paul Dion · 14th March 2008, 12:22 AM

I've recently planted a London Plane with the intention of pollarding for max shade in summer. Unfortunately it's not doing well and I was told it's been attacked by white mould. White furry covering over leaves and stem. A bird (I think) landed on a small branch and it broke off. On examination the break point seemed dry splintered and dead. Tips dead too with no leaves where they should have been and white fur. All branches and main trunk (its 2metres tall) have lesions about 1cm long. I thought it was due to growth and splitting of bark (expansion) but cutting through with shears the dead wood extends into and sometimes right through the branches. (I didn't cut through the trunk).
My questions are: Can it be saved?
Should I replace it?
Do I need to replace the soil?
Is white oil a cure?
Thanks

Ekka · 15th March 2008, 12:54 AM

Paul, that sounds like a shocker.

I'd say sap suckers, they suck out the sugars, then they excrete what's called honeydew but it aint no melon it's ... you know, dung.

Then the fungal spores etc breed on the "sweet" dung, ants can farm them too ... so a whole little eco system is running out of the poor tree's leaves. It's summer, trees got it tough for resources and bits start to die.

Spraying with white oil can work, but this is what I'd do, trust me I do it all the time.

Mix the white oil as per instructions and add (as per instructions according to volume of water/white oil solution) Confidor, then spary it.

Also, to make life easy both white oil and confidor come in aerosol spray cans ... that's the easy way out. Spray with confidor first, let dry then spray with white oil. Do this in the cool of the day, hose off 12 hours later. Repeat in 7 days.

As the tree is deciduous it may recover well next year.

Of course make sure the general care of the tree is good (water, mulch, organic fertilizer).

It's important not to over fertilize this tree to rejuvenate it. But organic fertilizer is also helping soil not just loading the tree with nitrogen.

14th February 2008, 09:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
TreeDimensional Mature tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 404	Re: Disease problem Hi fdgsogc91, The first thing to do is determine who is the owner of the tree. You mention that it is a boulevard tree, which would lead me to think that it is a City owned tree. If its not your tree, let the people who own it deal with the problem. You should call the Urban Forestry division of the city or call City Hall. I believe that is Black Knot, which is a a fungal infection. This is a highly infectious disease that spreads to the members of the Prunus species (choke cherry, mayday.......). It can be spread by water runoff, birds, and contaminated pruning tools etc. Check out the following link: City of Saskatoon ? Departments ? Infrastructure Services ? Parks Good luck and welcome to Tree World. __________________ West Central Saskatchewan ISA Certified Arborist

14th February 2008, 10:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
fdgsogc91 I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2	Re: Disease problem Thanks. I see the solution is to prune. Which I have done but I guess it spread anyway. I also reported it to the City. And got mildly chastised for pruning a City tree. Thanks again.

14th February 2008, 11:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
TreeDimensional Mature tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 404	Re: Disease problem Yes, the local government takes that sort of thing seriously. The photos you posted were of the trunk, and the explanation from the previously mentioned site, is of a limb. I guess you could say you got two answers to one question, you are aware of the minicipal regs and you know what black knot looks like. Hang around some more and you could really get an education. There is a lot of stuff on this site that will assist the average homeowner in working on their own trees and shrubs, but don't forget there are risks working on trees that could effect the rest of your life. Know when to stop and bring in the professionals. __________________ West Central Saskatchewan ISA Certified Arborist

15th February 2008, 08:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
treevet Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 1,490	Re: Disease problem This appears to be a Canadian Cherry and not to contradict TD,in my opinion this could be a frost crack caused by a sudden extreme change in temperature. A third diagnoses might be that it was caused by a flush cut, or a cut in the middle of the canker that was through the branch collar causing vascular dieback as usual. The shiny globe has no need for second opinions. There is a borer (larvae) within the are of the hard jelly appearing substance.

15th February 2008, 08:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
TreeDimensional Mature tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 404	Re: Disease problem Thanks Treevet, I went back and re-read my original post, and admit that I may have fell short on my identification. There is a possibility that the tree is a Thunderchild crabapple (Malus X astringens). It seems odd that a city would use either of these species as boulevard trees, but hey I've seen them use Mountain ash before LOL. The fruit can be a mess, but the bird watchers get a real giggle when the fruit freezes and ferments in the fall. Birds flying under the influence. BFUTI LOL While black knot usually effects lateral, it isn't uncommon to see it on lower stems and wounds. The other culprit may be fire blight. Both of the pathogens are easily spread. As for the wound, it may have been flush cut, but due to the length of the wound it appears that the limb may of failed (Kids hanging on it or car door...). The wound (if it failed) would of had to have been bark traced as there is good callus developed around the whole wound. I guess the city employees will have to determine what it is and what to do. I hope fdgbs.. is around when the city guys show up, and they can follow up here to let us know if long-distance diagnosis works. LOL __________________ West Central Saskatchewan ISA Certified Arborist

15th February 2008, 09:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
treevet Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 1,490	Re: Disease problem If that is a cherry as I suspect, when borers get that involved there may be no hope for survival. I think I had a BFUTI back in the 80 s, TD, and it cost me 3 points against my license and a 100$ fine!

16th February 2008, 06:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
treevet Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 1,490	Re: Disease problem Another point could be made here. You have 2 well educated, very experienced Certified Arborists with a myriad of preliminary diagnosis here. Further investigation is necessary to ascertain eventual correct or possibly no treatment and this may be limited by determination of ownership of tree for future liability concerns.

17th February 2008, 09:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
treeseer Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SE USA Posts: 880	Re: Disease problem I agree it does not look like the black knot I see in NC. Cankers can often be excised and sanitized; better to clean it than cut it if the branch is key to the tree's form. I care a lot less about who owns the tree, IF the practitioner is qualified, it is better to ask forgiveness... __________________ Guy Meilleur \| Forensic Arborist \| Better Tree Care

14th March 2008, 12:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
Paul Dion I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Snowy Mountains Australia Posts: 3	White mould? Re: Disease problem I've recently planted a London Plane with the intention of pollarding for max shade in summer. Unfortunately it's not doing well and I was told it's been attacked by white mould. White furry covering over leaves and stem. A bird (I think) landed on a small branch and it broke off. On examination the break point seemed dry splintered and dead. Tips dead too with no leaves where they should have been and white fur. All branches and main trunk (its 2metres tall) have lesions about 1cm long. I thought it was due to growth and splitting of bark (expansion) but cutting through with shears the dead wood extends into and sometimes right through the branches. (I didn't cut through the trunk). My questions are: Can it be saved? Should I replace it? Do I need to replace the soil? Is white oil a cure? Thanks

15th March 2008, 12:54 AM	#11 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,636	Re: Disease problem Paul, that sounds like a shocker. I'd say sap suckers, they suck out the sugars, then they excrete what's called honeydew but it aint no melon it's ... you know, dung. Then the fungal spores etc breed on the "sweet" dung, ants can farm them too ... so a whole little eco system is running out of the poor tree's leaves. It's summer, trees got it tough for resources and bits start to die. Spraying with white oil can work, but this is what I'd do, trust me I do it all the time. Mix the white oil as per instructions and add (as per instructions according to volume of water/white oil solution) Confidor, then spary it. Also, to make life easy both white oil and confidor come in aerosol spray cans ... that's the easy way out. Spray with confidor first, let dry then spray with white oil. Do this in the cool of the day, hose off 12 hours later. Repeat in 7 days. As the tree is deciduous it may recover well next year. Of course make sure the general care of the tree is good (water, mulch, organic fertilizer). It's important not to over fertilize this tree to rejuvenate it. But organic fertilizer is also helping soil not just loading the tree with nitrogen. __________________ Arborist Training in Australia\| Your Free Helping Guide Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory .... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

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