Diagnose this fungal death attack on Chinese elm (Celtis chinensis) Toowong Brisbane

Ekka · 20th March 2007, 03:14 AM

Chinese elm is a very hardy species.

This one is stone dead, but the lower base is certainly unusual. There was no fruiting bodies.

There seemed to be a lot of ants hanging around, lots of little holes, and the texture of the brown cruddy stuff was similar to that of borer frass. Embedded in this stuff were like shells of flying ants or something plus the odd leaf etc. Makes me think that it must have been pretty soft.

The tree is only young, is actually in a good spot for water as the garage roof down pipe is only about 2m up hill from it. The DBH is maybe only 250mm and the height maybe 8m.

I have a hunch but I'll save it for other opinions.

And it's a climb only for removal.

Sean Freeman · 20th March 2007, 03:30 AM

Well we don't get Chinese elm up here but I have seen the black stocking of death before so my guess is P. n, based only on the photo evidence, my biggest reservation on my guess is that I would have expected more exuding moisture at the edge of the rising decay in the bark.

Sean

TREE-SURFER · 20th March 2007, 01:26 PM

Ekka, what could be Phloem necrosis, caused by a mycoplasma-like organism (formerly believed to be a virus infection), and is usually spread from diseased to healthy elms by an insect, the leaf hopper, (Scaphoideus leuteolus). which could be the shells that you have come across. No known cure for this (like Dutch Elm Disease) Only the Leafhoppers can be controlled with a spray containing 1 pound Carbaryl (2 pounds 50 percent, or 1-1/2 pounds 80 percent Sevin wettable powder) per 100 gallons of water. In hydraulic sprayers, apply at the rate of 20 to 25 gallons per 50-foot elm.
The ants that you have found would possibly be feeding on the larvae of the Leafhopper and subsequently nesting near to their food source.
Hope this is ok.

Ekka · 20th March 2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boa07

Well we don't get Chinese elm up here but I have seen the black stocking of death before so my guess is P. n, based only on the photo evidence, my biggest reservation on my guess is that I would have expected more exuding moisture at the edge of the rising decay in the bark.

Sean

Bit dry lately for a lot of exudates, but it certainly is the attraction for the ants.

TREE-SURFER · 20th March 2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

This one is stone dead, but the lower base is certainly unusual. There was no fruiting bodies.

And it's a climb only for removal.

Hi Ekka, Is there no moisture under the bark of the tree at all, P. N. would show a yellowing like butterscotch colour just under the bark.

Being "stone dead", any brittleness at all of the limbs. Don't wanna hear that you taken a bad one......

Ekka · 24th March 2007, 02:30 AM

Answer lies here

Phellinus Noxius in Brisbane

Ekka · 18th April 2007, 04:19 AM

Cut it down today.

20th March 2007, 01:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
TREE-SURFER Mature tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Isle of Man,UK. Posts: 405	Ekka, what could be Phloem necrosis, caused by a mycoplasma-like organism (formerly believed to be a virus infection), and is usually spread from diseased to healthy elms by an insect, the leaf hopper, (Scaphoideus leuteolus). which could be the shells that you have come across. No known cure for this (like Dutch Elm Disease) Only the Leafhoppers can be controlled with a spray containing 1 pound Carbaryl (2 pounds 50 percent, or 1-1/2 pounds 80 percent Sevin wettable powder) per 100 gallons of water. In hydraulic sprayers, apply at the rate of 20 to 25 gallons per 50-foot elm. The ants that you have found would possibly be feeding on the larvae of the Leafhopper and subsequently nesting near to their food source. Hope this is ok. __________________ The Aerial Arborist Isle of Man Tree Surgeon\| All Aspects of Tree Work Andy@Aerial-Arborist.co.uk What experts say about TOPPING

24th March 2007, 02:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 8,009	Answer lies here Phellinus Noxius in Brisbane __________________ Tree World Legal Fighting Fund\| Protect Your Rights to Freedom Of Speech\| Pledge Today Tree World Picture Competition\| $300 of Prizes Up for Grabs Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory 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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20th March 2007, 03:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,795	Well we don't get Chinese elm up here but I have seen the black stocking of death before so my guess is P. n, based only on the photo evidence, my biggest reservation on my guess is that I would have expected more exuding moisture at the edge of the rising decay in the bark. Sean