Re: Some musings on current local tree diseases
- Subject: Re: Some musings on current local tree diseases
- From: M* B*
- Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 23:01:55 -0000
David,
Some interesting observations. As an professional horticulturist something
that is concerning me is the spread of disease between differing global
regions and the sudden apparent susceptibility of certain species to
disease. Currently we have a problem with Sudden Decline Syndrome on
Cordyline species here in Cornwall (SW England) which appears to have made
its way over from England. If anyone down under has an answer I'd love to
hear about it.
With reference to diseases of Oaks I think a decade or so ago afflictions to
White Oaks started to become apparent on trees in this country creating a
"stag-horn effect" on mature trees, this problem, I believe, originated from
North America, what the current situation is I don't know. The problem with
Monterey Pine you cite would be of special relevance to this region of
England as these magnificent pines are one of the principle sources of wind
protection in Cornish Gardens and I'd welcome any further information you
may have.
As far as why diseases are becoming widespread, well I guess greater people
movement may have a major bearing on it, if the disease problem just so
happens to land up in a climate to its suiting then I guess the inevitable
will follow. I should imagine trans-continetal road traffic is a wonderful
vector too in the USA. Another comment proposed concerning Cordyline SDS
made a claim toward ultra-violet light affecting the plants due to the break
down in Ozone levels - sounds cranky to me but who knows?.
Greater vigilance at point of entry for plant importation is a prerequisite
for disease control (recent experiences here with foot and mouth disease in
Cattle point highlight what can go wrong). Outbound Phytosanitary
certification appears far to easy to obtain, mebbe I'm wrong and there are
official checks but the system doesn't convince me here.
The other thing that concerns me is education. My family background meant
that I had a grounding in arable farming and there used to be considerably
more awareness about prevention and identification of potential problems.
Anyone remember the Colorado potato beetle posters in Post Offices etc.?.
Moving on from that, basic hygiene concerns me in one or two of the
nurseries I visit, ordering large stock from one establishment here (I shall
mention no names) requires you arm yourself with a baseball bat when the
inevitable army of vine weevil arrive with the delivery.
I think your basic premise is right about plant disease, maybe the press
reports may have over egged the situation but there is a need to educate
people and for vigilance, prevention is better than cure, so my mother used
to tell me anyway.
kind regards,
Mark Brent, Lamorran House Gardens, St.Mawes, Cornwall,UK.
----- Original Message -----
From: david feix <davidfeix@yahoo.com>
To: <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 8:25 PM
Subject: Some musings on current local tree diseases
