Tree Root Diseases or Root Rot Roots are the most often area of a tree overlooked, and are many times the “root� of the problem. Many older trees that fail during storms are due to root issues, and not only because of the storm. In fact the vast majority of trees in the city of Barrie which we have been called to over hte psat 10 years, when examined closely clearly had remaining root damage from years before when construction was conducted. Some of the faster growing trees are many times able to resist decay fungi by outgrowing them, or by simply stopping them with physical barriers (see article on CODIT). Other fungi can be controlled if an ISA Certified Arborist or Consulting Arborist is called in early enough. Strength loss is difficult to detect but mushrooms or bracket fungi on the trunk are warnings. Many arborists have highly sophisticated equipment to allow them to perform further noninvasive analysis on trees and provide a more accurate prognosis. Even after the tree has died, these fungi continue to use the tree roots as a food base, which they can transfer to new trees by root contact or by spores released from fruiting bodies or conks. Armillaria There are many species of Armillaria, and they cause death to trees under all types of stress by reducing absorption and translocation of water and minerals from the soil to the tree. As many of the symptoms produced by Armillaria-infected trees are nonspecific, they are easily misdiagnosed as drought, mineral deficiencies, infestations, and other pathogen attacks. Locating toadstools that form between the bark and wood of buttress roots on in soil near the trees is a sign indicating the presence of Armillaria. Note that this fungus can survive, and spread in chips or organic mulches. See our article on mulches (beware of where they come from as mulches or chips can spread problems to your trees). As with any root related issues, you need to locate an ISA Certified Arborist quickly to help you out. White Pine Root Disease There are no mushroom like growths associated with this fungus that can seen.
Infected, mature white pines die from the top down. Some trees may die within a year and others may decline over several years, death occurs fairly randomly with between 1% to 3% dying each year. One may see a canker of brown colour occurring under the bark near the root collar. The disease seems to prefer wet locations. Root and butt type rots - These are wood-decay diseases that enter through wounds in the trunk or roots and kill the wood tissues. The tree will die when the root collar is encircled. The tree can live for many years with root and butt rot. Often times the tree actually dies when it is uprooted or snapped during a storm. Many times this type of decay or rot can begin after a period of construction where roots were seriously damaged. (see our article on construction root or tree protection zones) Rogers Mushroom consists of multiple cream-colored, spore bearing shelves that forms late in the summer, often times on sugar maple. Daedalea quercina – as the name suggests is common on oak trees. This fungi has woody, shelf-like growths which form on old wounds. These may be improperly performed pruning wounds or construction injuries which were never card for properly. Ensure you hire an ISA Certified Arborist to perform all cuts on your trees, and to inspect your trees after construction (and preferably to work with you in tree protection prior to construction). Artist conk – these are common and the ones many of us visualise when thinking of tree growths. This is a woody shelf-type fruiting body up to 2' wide that is found on the lower part of trunk. The top is brownish with a creamy white margin. Its wide host range includes oaks, maples, and beech. Tomentosus Root Disease - is one of the most widespread root diseases in forests of the northern hemisphere. The hosts are typically spruce and larch. The disease will cause mortality, growth reduction, root infections, butt rot, and tree breakage during storms. Simcoe Muskoka Tree Services Inc www.simcoemuskokatreeservices.ca