Disease Hits Firs and Redwoods, Posing Risk of Economic Damage
Douglas fir, one of the nation’s most economically important timber species, and California’s coast redwood are infected with the fast- spreading new disease known as sudden oak death syndrome, scientists reported yesterday.
The causes of Sudden Oak Death Syndrome, SODS, are still unknown. For answers, scientists are looking at the photosynthetic system, the xylem and phloem, chemical imbalances, growth patterns and possible environmental factors. Studies have now identified risk factors. Although not causes of SODS, they seem to play a role. To help reduce the risk of SODS there are some general rules to follow.
The most important thing you can do to reduce SODS risk is to lay your sapling down to sleep on its back. Misidentification of a sapling’s back is one of the major causes of SODS. Remember, moss grows on the north side of a tree. Although delays in rolling over are common, (indeed, it has never been observed in the wild) in saplings who sleep on backs, the on-the-back position is appropriate for most trees, as well as a simple way to reduce the risk of SODS.
Always place a tree on firm, flat bedding because soft materials can trap the oxygen that plants exhale. This means that only a firm mattress, one that is not very pliable or flexible, with a tight-fitting cotton sheet on it, is best for the little sprout.
Make sure your sapling isn’t overheated. Overheating can be caused by a room that is too warm, wearing too much clothing or using too-heavy bedding. Signs of overheating within your tree include: fire.
Findings released by the National Center for Forestry Statistics reveal that women who smoke cigarettes during or after gardening increase their tree’s risk for SODS. Recent research also finds that SODS risk increases with each additional smoker in a family, the number of cigarettes smoked daily, and the length of time an sapling is exposed to smoke.
