Armillaria Root Rot Identification and Treatment

Prevent your trees and shrubs from dying and spreading root rot throughout your landscape. Knowing how to isolate and safely manage Armillaria root rot will help you keep your yard’s plant life thriving.

fasttreeremovalatlanta.com gathered information on what Armillaria root rot is, symptoms that help you identify it, how it survives and spreads, and what you can do to treat and prevent it.

What Is Armillaria Root Rot?

Armillaria root rot or mushroom root rot is a genus of fungi, Armillaria spp., that naturally decay tree stumps, dead wood, and roots. But Armillaria can also successfully attack living trees. While growing on dead wood, Armillaria produces rhizomorphs (root-like structures) that can grow 50 to 70 feet away from the original infection site. Larger infection sites support more significant, more extensive rhizomorph growth. Where rhizomorphs contact a potential host’s root system, they can infect those roots, causing growth problems and eventually girdling the tree.

Large trees may be able to compartmentalize the fungus in infected roots and survive for years. However, the host will grow progressively weaker as roots are killed, eventually becoming susceptible to windthrow. Smaller trees and plant life can be debilitated and killed more quickly.

Note: This fungus is found worldwide but prefers cool soils and climates.

Common Armillaria Root Rot – Hosts (Trees, Shrubs, Plants)

Armillaria infects a wide range of trees from oaks and hickories, to many hardwoods and conifers, like:

• Douglas-fir
• Lodgepole pines
• Ponderosa pines
• Spruce
• Grand fir pines
• Cedar
• Fruit trees
• Vines
• Shrubs
• Shade trees

Note: The only two genera of trees known to have developed a resistance to Armillaria root rot are larch and birch.

Armillaria Root Rot – Signs and Symptoms

While the majority of Armillaria root rot damage occurs below ground, the following visible signs indicate an Armillaria root rot infection:

• The tree may produce stress crops (abnormally large production of fruits, cones, or seeds)
• Foliage emerges small and/or chlorotic (yellowing) on deciduous trees
• Needles turn brown on infected evergreens
• Dieback in upper portions of the crown
• Large clusters of light-colored mushrooms growing at the base of the tree or on the root flare
• Thick, black fungal strands may grow on infected trees and in surrounding soil (like a net)
• Flat, white fungal growth appears in sheets between the bark and the wood at the base of infected trees and shrubs
• Trees will have decayed roots and a lower trunk (leaving the tree susceptible to windthrow or windsnap)
• The tree or plant will eventually die

Note: The base of infected pine and evergreen species (just below the soil surface) may be found encrusted in sap/resin.

How It Spreads and Thrives

Armillaria-causing fungi can survive for many years in wood debris, including stumps or root systems. New infections occur when healthy roots grow close to diseased roots. Rhizomorphs (black shoestring-like strands of fungal growth) can spread dozens of feet from an infected tree or stump to infect healthy roots.

Once the fungus colonizes the roots and the base of the trunk, the wood begins to decay. A healthy, robust tree can often slow the growth of the fungus. Still, stressed trees are usually damaged and debilitated quickly.

Trees die of Armillaria root rot when:

Girdling – roots can no longer move water and nutrients through the tree’s cambium
Windthrow – roots can no longer secure the tree to the ground in even the slightest breeze
Windsnap – the tree trunk is weakened and snaps in the wind

Note: Tyloses may also result in girdling. Occurring naturally, tyloses are formed in a tree or plant’s vascular system. They are are meant to plug or clog the vascular tissue in an attempt to prevent a disease’s advancement or from causing further damage to the tree.

Armillaria Root Rot Treatment

The first and most effective line of defense for your trees, shrubs, and plants is their health. The more optimal their conditions are for healthy growth, the better their chances are of remaining disease-free. Accomplish this by:

• Mulching the soil around the tree’s base out to the edge of the drip line
• Increase the tree’s watering schedule during drought (without leaving your plants and trees in standing water or poorly drained soil)
• Protect trees and shrubs from mechanical wounds (lawnmowers, weed whackers, and other equipment)
• Prevent pedestrian and vehicle traffic from the tree’s root plate to avoid soil compaction
• Remove unstable trees
• Remove infected stumps and as many roots as possible

Tip: Have your trees assessed annually by a certified arborist to determine if they are infected with Armillaria fungi and determine their structural stability.

Note: The more troubling aspect of Armillaria root rot is that, as of the publishing of this article, there is no definitive treatment or cure for the disease.

Watch this video about Armillaria fungi.

For further reading on this and other tree diseases, visit fasttreeremovalatlanta.com/9-oak-tree-diseases-identification-and-treatment

Handling Armillaria Root Rot

In this article, you discovered Armillaria root rot information, how to identify an active infection, how the pathogen survives and spreads, and what you can do to manage it and prevent it.

Keeping your landscape free of infected trees, shrubs, and plants will help you slow the progression of this prolific, robust fungal pathogen.

Allowing diseased/infected trees and plant life to persist on your property will accelerate the spread of Armillaria, exacerbating the sometimes invisible damage occurring beneath the soil and bark.

Sources:
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/diseases/armillaria-root-rot.html
missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/diseases/rot/armillaria-root-rot.aspx
plantpath.cornell.edu/Trees/Armillaria.html
fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5187208.pdf

Fast Tree Removal Services Atlanta

3379 Peachtree Road #555a, Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 220-9965

Fast Tree Removal Services Dunwoody

2111 Peachford Cir, Dunwoody, GA 30338
(404) 220-9963

To view the orignal version of this post, visit: https://www.fasttreeremovalatlanta.com/armillaria-root-rot-identification-treatment

How do I Know If My Tree Is Dying

A dying tree is not always obvious, but not knowing the signs is dangerous and may pose a grave risk to people and structures around it. If you can distinguish a troubled or dying tree, you may potentially save yourself from significant loss and costly repairs down the road.

fasttreeremovalatlanta.com gathered the following information to help you discern between a tree that is troubled, dying, or dead and what to do about it.

Is My Tree Dead or Dormant

In late fall and through the winter months, trees may appear to be dead. Deciduous trees, unlike evergreen trees, will lose their leaves and stop growing through the colder months of the year. Here’s how to tell the difference:

1 – Locate a branch or stem to perform a scratch test.
2 – Using a sharp knife, pruning tool, or your fingernail, scratch a very small portion of the bark away.
3 – Examine the tissue just beneath the bark (this is called the cambium tissue).

Green hues and dampness indicate that your tree is alive. Your tree is dying or dead if you encounter dry, brittle, and brown conditions. Repeat the test on another area of the tree to confirm the result.

If your tree is dying or dead, call an arborist to evaluate the tree and recommend a course of action. A dead tree near structures and people poses a series of risks to its surroundings and should be removed immediately.

Leaves Are Changing Colors

In the fall, deciduous trees undergo a phase in which leaves change from green to red, orange, yellow, or brown before falling to the ground (this is normal).
However, when leaf color changes happen in spring or summer, on any tree (deciduous or evergreen), you have a significant problem on your hands.

The following are problems that cause off-season leaf color change, wilt, or premature leaf-drop.

Severe Drought – Drought throughout the winter season and into spring can cause severe stress to trees. This stress shows up as:

• Wilting
• Severe dieback
• Leaf color change
• Premature leaf drop
• Successful insect infestation
• Tree death

During drought conditions, increase your watering cycles to maintain the soil around your trees moist. Make sure that trees are mulched. Mulching will help retain soil moisture and prevent roots from drying out.

Boring Insect Infestation – Trees are pretty good at defending themselves from boring insects. However, when a tree is stressed, boring insects are more likely to attack a tree successfully.

Insect infestations cause tree foliage to wilt, change color, grow smaller or deformed, or drop prematurely. Changes can occur in a portion of the crown, or throughout the entire crown depending where the insects have attacked the tree.

The signs of boring insects include:

• Boring dust or sawdust
• Feeding trails or galleries beneath the bark
• Entry or exit holes in the bark
• Actual insects
• Dieback

Treatment for wood boring insects with insecticides is more effective as a preventative measure. Once a successful infestation has occurred, the tree will potentially need extensive pruning. Your best course of action during an infestation is to call an arborist to the location to evaluate the tree, suggest a course of action, and make a threat assessment to surrounding trees and vegetation.

Disease – A diseased tree can appear healthy on one side and dying on the other. There are some disease threats like anthracnose, heart rot, and root rot that can kill a mature tree in a matter of weeks. Below are symptoms to look for:

• Wilting
• Slow leaf growth
• Changing leaf color
• Premature leaf drop

If you suspect that your tree is diseased, have it inspected immediately by a professional tree service. In many cases, a tree can be treated and pruned, allowing it to compartmentalize the disease and continue living.

Girdling – Girdling happens when either compression or bark damage occurs around the circumference of the tree trunk, causing hydraulic failure within the tree. Climbing vines, ropes tied around the tree, vehicle and machinery impacts, or any activity which strips the bark from a tree can cause girdling.

When a tree is girdled, the signs are obvious:

• Leaves will turn yellow or brown and fall from the tree
• Twigs and branches will become brittle
• Signs of disease or insect infestation will likely accompany the death of the tree.

Avoid girdling by:

• Cutting vines off from their roots near the ground (don’t try to remove them from the tree, you may further damage the bark)
• Never tie a rope around a tree trunk
• Avoid vehicle or equipment impacts to the trunk of a tree

If your tree’s bark has been severely damaged, have it inspected by an arborist who can then recommend a course of action.

Root Rot – Root rot can occur from poorly drained soil or disease. The symptoms are very similar to those of girdling:

• Leaves will turn yellow or brown and fall from the tree
• Twigs and branches will become brittle
• Trees with root rot may begin to lean or fall

If you suspect that your tree is dying from root rot, have it inspected immediately. In most cases, the tree will need to be removed.

Do Trees Die of Old Age

Yes. Trees are long-lived but will eventually die from natural causes or human actions. When trees get sick, they can be diagnosed, and with early treatment, pruning, or felling, can be saved or prevented from harming surrounding trees, structures, and people.

How to Avoid Tree Health Problems

One of the best ways to keep your tree healthy throughout its lifetime is to care for it from the time it is planted properly. You can avoid the majority of tree health problems by:

• Knowing the species and its requirements
• Planting it in an optimally lit and protected location
• Giving it proper watering intervals and fertilization
• Making sure the soil meets the needs of the species
• Seasonally pruning unwanted or infected growth
• Protecting its bark from impacts and damaging vines
• Having the tree inspected annually by an arborist

Preventative measures will help you avoid significant tree health issues, along with promoting a healthy ecosystem in your yard or landscape.

Is My Tree Dying

A dead or dying tree is capable of spreading disease and insect infestation to entire communities of trees. When these trees fall, they can cause catastrophic damages to structures, wildlife, and people.

In this article, you discovered how to tell if a tree is troubled, dying, or dead and what you can do to either save it or eliminate a potential threat.

When a tree problem is detected, immediate action can save you from significant damages, costly repairs, and even loss of life.

Sources:
https://forestpests.community.uaf.edu/lessons/module-2-wood-boring-insects/
http://www.fao.org/3/y5041e/y5041e09.htm
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/universal/printedprogpageshow.cfm?pagenum=6467&progkey=2080&county=5576

Fast Tree Removal Services Atlanta

3379 Peachtree Road #555a, Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 220-9965

Fast Tree Removal Services Dunwoody

2111 Peachford Cir, Dunwoody, GA 30338
(404) 220-9963

To view the orignal version of this post, visit: http://www.fasttreeremovalatlanta.com/how-do-i-know-if-my-tree-dying

Everything You Need to Know About Pine Trees

Being one of the most widely spread and most varied class of North American native tree species, it is no mystery as to why pine trees are a popular choice for landscaping.

Due to how easy it is to plant, grow, and care for them, pines are one of (if not the most) valuable of the commercial timber sources. Pines are widely utilized in the making of furniture, in construction, land management, and much more.

Some of the pine species are able to grow 2-3 feet per year while remaining full and vibrant. As well, all pines are evergreen, making their appeal to home owners even greater.

In this article, Fast Tree Removal Services discusses selecting, planting, and caring for pine trees.

Pine Tree Selection and Planting Location

Selecting the right pine tree depends mostly on where it will be planted. Pines are not shade nor drought tolerant, they will need full sun and well irrigated soil to thrive and reach their full potential.

Listed below are a few of the pinus species found in abundance in the City of Atlanta and surrounding areas.

Longleaf Pine – Reaches up to 120 feet tall, with a lifespan of 400 to 500 years.

Eastern White Pine – Reaches up to 150 feet tall, with a lifespan of around 450 years.

Loblolly Pine – Reaches up to 100 feet tall, with a lifespan of 150 years.

The trunk of each of the above species can reach a diameter of 2.5 to 4 feet at maturity, and has an extensive, deep growing root system. Pine trees should not be planted within 15 to 20 feet of fences or other permanent structures, because they have the potential to cause structural damage as they grow.

Pine Tree Care and Common Diseases

Given the right conditions, there isn’t much you will need to do in the way of care for pine trees. As mentioned earlier, they are typically not shade nor drought tolerant, simply making sure that they are well irrigated and get full sun is enough for them to thrive.

Soil – The ideal soil for pine trees is “moist” not dry or wet. This can be accomplished through proper mulching. 2 to 3 inches thick beginning 6 inches from the trunk and spreading out to the edge of the canopy (at least 2 feet to keep mowers far from the trunk and roots).

Fertilizer – In the fall, pines shed old needles. Leave them there! This tree is self-propagating, and its decomposing needles naturally improve the surrounding soil. In effect, it’s FREE mulch that becomes its own fertilizing agent.

Performing a soil test annually will help you to properly fertilize your pine trees. This is an opportunity to correct the pH of the soil and further enrich it if necessary.

Water – During drought conditions, give your trees a deep watering twice a week. At these times, having proper mulching will help the soil retain moisture, thus relieving drought stress.

Under normal conditions, keep the surrounding soil moist for optimum growth and health conditions.

Why Is My Pine Tree Dying From The Bottom Up? – This is a common question which is usually the result of a pine tree drying out. As pines are not drought tolerant, the tree will let the lower branches dry out while sending moisture to the upper branches.

In a way, the tree is stalling for time, waiting for the soil to regain its moisture. You may have to adjust the watering schedule. We advise having the tree professionally evaluated to eliminate the possibility of blight or other possible stressors.

Pests And Disease – While caring for your pines is relatively simple, there are some common pests and diseases to watch for. Some of the pests that feed on and thrive in pine trees are:

• Scale
• Bagworms
• Aphids
• Mites
• Bark Beetles

And some of the diseases that affect the tree’s appearance and health are:

• Needlecast
• Pine Wilt
• Sphaeropsis Tip Blight
• Dothistroma Needle Blight
• Root Rot

In either case, when an infestation or disease is suspected or confirmed, fungicides and pesticides can be used to stop their progression. Calling in a professional tree service to manage these issues is best. In some cases, the only way to protect the rest of your ecosystem is to have the tree removed before the issue spreads.

How Do You Prune a Pine Tree?

Well, you don’t. Shaping, thinning, and aggressive pruning can cause irreparable damage to pine trees.

Occasionally, there will be a situation of abnormal growth, disease, or storm damage which will require pruning. There may eventually be a necessity for crown thinning or crown cleaning. In any of these cases, an arborist or tree professional should be called in to assess the situation and properly execute the required treatment.

Improper pruning, cutting, thinning, or shaping of pine trees (besides causing serious damage) will leave them vulnerable to fungi and infestation.

Pine Trees and Your Landscape

With the right conditions (moist fertile soil and sunlight), adding pine trees to your landscape will provide a significant boost to your ecosystem. Pines grow very fast, they are aromatic, and attract a range of wildlife.

Of the members of your yard’s ecosystem, your pines will likely require the least amount of attention and care. When planting them, be aware that they should not be within 15 to 20 feet of any structure, walkway, driveway, or they will damage, crack, or buckle the concrete.

It is also worth mentioning that once you have a healthy pine tree growing in your yard, you also have a permanent festive outdoor Christmas tree to decorate for the holiday season (at least for a few years).

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Fast Tree Removal Services Atlanta

3379 Peachtree Road #555a, Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 220-9965

To view the orignal version of this post, visit: www.fasttreeremovalatlanta.com/everything-need-know-pine-trees