ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996 TAG: 9602200104
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D2 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Dear John
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
Q: I live in a wooded area. Several large, mature trees have died in our neighborhood in the last few years. During the summer months I have noticed growths of orange mushrooms at the base of yellow poplar trees. The trees seem to be suffering from a trunk rot. One poplar on my property fell over last summer after being so afflicted. I have other poplar trees with this problem. Can these trees be saved? Also, can this fungus, disease, or whatever it is spread to other trees? If it can, is there a way to halt its spread or protect the remaining trees, which are mature oaks, poplars, pines and dogwoods and young hickories, oaks and maples, so they will not die? M.S.S., Roanoke
A: I can't say whether the trees can be saved. Your letter did not say when the houses there were built, but it sounds like your neighborhood is like many others in which houses have been built in existing stands of trees. That has led to some trees dying due to construction injury, which can range from soil compaction caused by construction equipment to changes in the water table due to digging and grade changes to actual bumps or injuries that happened to trunks or roots. Tree loss due to these causes can occur anywhere from immediately following construction to years later.
Your letter doesn't help me diagnose the problem with the poplars so I cannot predict anything about its spread. Mushroom growth anywhere from lawns to plants results from decay and is not a clue to the exact cause here. I can say, though, that poplars are not hardy trees and, in general, are affected by a whole host of diseases and pests.
Your best procedure to identify this problem and manage its spread is to arrange for an on-site visit by a knowledgeable tree expert, preferably a tree professional who has earned the credential of ``certified arborist'' and not just a ``tree cutter'' who has a chain saw and truck. Keep in mind that you should have a very clear understanding of any work to be done before you sign a contract as well as the value of getting a second on-site tree opinion if your first expert has troubles answering your questions.
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants, or insects to Dear John, c/o The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered during the weeks that the subject is timely. Personal replies cannot be given. Please don't send stamps, stamped envelopes, samples, or pictures.
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