Question:
We are studying tree diseases in our classroom. One of my
students asked about a disease her Grandfathers trees were all dying
as a result. She brought a sample of one of the limbs. They all had alot of pin
hole size holes in them. She said her grandfather said the trees died
very quickly and dried out. What disease could this possibly be? and what
would the cure be?
Replies:
There are many different kinds of tree diseases caused by a variety of
pathogens, some particular to specific kinds or species of trees. The holes
suggest insect damage, possibly combined with a tree disease.
The following might be helpful:
http://forestry.about.com/bldisex.htm
Anthony Brach PhD.
Though it does not seem to apply to this case, I experienced an unsolicited
evaluation from a reputable firm that told me that I had an insect problem
because of the numerous holes my red pine tree possessed. The tree did have indeed
about one hundred holes in its main truck and some limbs, the cause was a
bird species commonly referred to as the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The tree is
still healthy after twenty years of this "problem".
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