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RE: Armillaria

Subject: RE: Armillaria
From: Cox, Dermot
Date: Dec 10 1999 18:21:50
UK Tree Care - http://www.oak-wood.co.uk/uktc/

I too have heard that the use of "brand X" has a stimulating effect on
Armillaria. In fact there was a lively debate about the topic involving
those who have written books well know to most of us at the 1st of the two
recent Exeter AA conferences, when much weight was put behind the "bin that
product" school of thought.  Also in the line of fire was the use of a
cirtain household cleaning fluid.  Once applied you have no control over the
products further dilution, and as David rightly states at critical dilutions
does stimulate growth......

And on another note

What know any of ye of the suckering habits of Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus
altissima?  I've recently visited a 15mX450mm specimen, growing in middle of
a lawn which appears to be throwing up suckers 22m away - half lawn half
tarmac in between.  Seamed like a long run to me, what experience do you lot
have?

-----Original Message-----
From: David Evans [SMTP:arborcentre@xxxxxx.msn.com]
Sent: Friday, December 10, 1999 3:07 PM
To:   UKTC (E-mail)
Subject:      Armillaria

UK Tree Care - http://www.oak-wood.co.uk/uktc/

Something I forgot to post ages ago, but which I think may be of interest,

is that some research into the efficacy of a certain well known brand of 
fungicide, which is commonly used to control (sic) Honey Fungus
(Armillaria 
spp.), established that it actually STIMULATED growth of rhizomorphs. 
 Needless to say, the manufacturers were none too pleased about these 
results and not keen for the information to become widely available.  No 
doubt it is locked up in a heavily guarded subterranean vault somewhere, 
along with design for the everlasting light bulb, and the water powered 
combustion engine.  So if you're ever tempted, or asked, to prescribe this

fungicide, to treat a honey fungus infection, note that you might not be 
treating the fungus in the pejorative sense, but rather indulging the 
pathogen.  Consequently, it may be wise to consign the product to the back

of the cupboard, along with the Arborex wound paint and the rusty family 
size tin of Australian Pears.

Sorry, I can't reference this one.  It might not be politically expedient 
to do so.

It would appear that the phenomenon is not uncommon.  Steve Woodward & the

late Ray Pearce found bark extracts from Sitka spruce which were
fungitoxic 
to most self-respecting fungi but stimulated A. ostoyae growth by some
300% 
over controls.

Likewise, research by Francis Schwarze has established that the phenolic 
compounds produced by Beech (Fagus sylvatica), as defence reaction, 
stimulated hyphal growth of Ganoderma adspersum.

Whilst on matters pathological, I was performing at a RICS gig in Reading 
last week, and was given the following scenario from one of the Surveyors 
present.  He appears to be loosing many of his beloved shrubs and trees to

a species of Honey fungus (Positive lab identification).  The inoculum 
source would appear to be a very large Poplar stump in the neighbours 
garden.  Spatial distribution and progress of infection is classically
that 
of a biotic causal agent.  He was going to e-mail further information but 
may have been particularly dispirited when I pointed out the shortcomings 
of his liberal use of the aforementioned fungicide.  Notwithstanding, the 
problems of establishing original infection, has anyone out there 
encountered a case of a pathogenic fungus being cited as an 'actionable 
nuisance', and the owner of the source being found liable?

Cheers

Acer ventura


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