Diseased cherry tree in garden

[Herd900rd]

I have a dead flowering cherry (fungal infection I think, I can post pictures) which is about to be dug up and removed. I have been advised that it would be wise to disinfect the ground afterwards, as I wish to plant a new tree, not quite in the same location but near. What is safe to use as far as wildlife is concerned, and effective as far as the new tree is concerned. Because I feed garden birds, there will be lots of sparrows, chaffinches hopping around on the ground after it has been treated. Will they be safe? The only product I have been recommende is Armillotox. Does anybody have any useful input?

[SAHop]

I'd love to see pictures - especially if the bark on the trunk is affected. I think there is more to tree disease this year than meets the eye.

[Herd900rd]

Give me a while to get the pics, meanwhile more info: the tree had very little blossom 2008 and smaller branches were going brittle, last year no leaf or blossom at all. So the disease probably set in in winter 2007/08. Strangely a cherry the other side of the house is struggling. A nursery manager told me that in the past some trees were put on inappropriate root stock, and this is now manifesting itself in dying trees.
I'll get the camera out.
Thanks for reply
H.

[Herd900rd]

As you can see, they are quite colourful, there were some normal mushroom-shaped mushrooms at the base last autumn, very dark brown.

[gleditsa]

rather than the cause of the trees demise being poor rootstock, i would think by your description of the dark brown mushrooms at the base of the tree, that your tree has been attacked by Honey fungus - Armillaria sp,
have a look in the a to z or in google images and see if your dark brown mushrooms resemble any Armillaria species shown there,

a tell tale sign is black bootlace type "roots" in the surrounding soil and under the bark of the affected tree,

J.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Herd900rd

I have a dead flowering cherry (fungal infection I think, I can post pictures) which is about to be dug up and removed. I have been advised that it would be wise to disinfect the ground afterwards, as I wish to plant a new tree, not quite in the same location but near. What is safe to use as far as wildlife is concerned, and effective as far as the new tree is concerned. Because I feed garden birds, there will be lots of sparrows, chaffinches hopping around on the ground after it has been treated. Will they be safe? The only product I have been recommende is Armillotox. Does anybody have any useful input?

Hopefuly someone will be along with a sound ID for the fungi in your photos, however it's definitely not honey fungus, which is a very different species. My guess would be that these bracket fungi are secondary opportunists on a tree that was already in distress.

Flowering cherries are not in general long lived trees and by the size of the trunk, yours looks be well into maturity so I wouldn't be surprised by its demise. As far as Armillotox is concerned there's no definite evidence for its effectiveness, it is expensive, requires regular applications and is pretty much a product of last hope for those who do have honey fungus.

The safest thing to do is plant a species that is disease resistant, so choose something different to a cherry. Ensure that none of the roots of the dead tree extend into the new planting area, this may mean excavating down at least 50cms, if there is doubt about a fungal problem, then replace the soil around the planting hole of the new tree with imported topsoil.

There are (as far as I know) no licenced soil fungicides that are available for domestic use, because concerns about safety. Jeyes fluid is effective for cleaning pots and a garden tools but is likely to kill plants if used as a soil treatement.

CM

[gleditsa]

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

Hopefuly someone will be along with a sound ID for the fungi in your photos, however it's definitely not honey fungus, which is a very different species. My guess would be that these bracket fungi are secondary opportunists on a tree that was already in distress.CM

the fungi pictured in the original post would appear to be a trametes sp,
the reference to honey fungus was in relation to the (not shown in original post) dark brown mushrooms at the base of the tree, as described in the original post,
the Trametes are usually found on dead wood, so its unlikely to be the reason for the tress decline, its more likely that it was the honey fungus that was the culprit.

j.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by gleditsa

the fungi pictured in the original post would appear to be a trametes sp, the reference to honey fungus was in relation to the (not shown in original post) dark brown mushrooms at the base of the tree, as described in the original post, the Trametes are usually found on dead wood, so its unlikely to be the reason for the tress decline, its more likely that it was the honey fungus that was the culprit. j.

oops I missread that bit. Yes Armillaria does sound very likely, though whether or not the 'boot lace' rhizomorphs are present depends on which species of Armillaria is involved and at what stage the fungus is in its development. If for instance the tree was already in decline and there was dead wood on which the Armillaria could mature from spores, then as yet no rhizomorphs may have been produced by this particular 'colony'.

As it happens, the presence of rhizomorphs are a sign of the least worst infection: see
Honey Fungus - Friend or Foe? . That same web source suggests that cherries are particularly prone to Armillaria. mellea sensu stricto which characteristically does not produce obvious rhizomorphs. So certainly having a look for the 'bootlaces' in the soil would help in establishing which particular type of Armillaria is involved, and of possibly identifying the source of infection - (any dead wood within 10 metres the infection site!) if Herd900rd has the patience to try digging out the rhizomorphs.

Anyway, the questioner is left in the difficult position of probably having Armillaria in his garden and no certain way to deal with this - certainly 'disinfection' is not feasible. Removal or all dead wood including the roots and disposal by burning is the first task. Waiting a full year before planting a new woody specimen is probably a wise precaution, though abandoning woody plants altogether in favour of perennials would be a more certain way to avoid reinfection. If a new tree is to be eventually planted in an adjacent location then importing fresh soil to get that plant off to a good start is also probably wise. Finally, choosing a plant with some resistance may insure against reinfection - a list of reputedly resistant plants can be found here: http://www.thegardeneronline.co.uk/d...ant_Plants.pdf - rhamnus would be a good wildlife friendly choice as a replacement for a cherry.

CM

[Herd900rd]

Thank you all for your replies. I have heard about identifying Honey Fungus by the roots/mycelia or whatever they are. I agree too that the latest fungi on it are probably opportunists exploiting a tree that was already virtually dead. Fire would have been an option perhaps, but no bonfires are allowed. Could I get special dispensation from the Council?
The cherry maybe 20 - 30 years old, is that a normal lifespan? That is the most optimistic outcome before I do anything drastic. So I'll have a dig for the "bootlaces".
If the news is bad it will probably be a case of digging a large enough hole for the new tree (almost certainly apple), and importing clean soil.

[Herd900rd]

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

...which characteristically does not produce obvious rhizomorphs. So certainly having a look for the 'bootlaces' in the soil would help in establishing which particular type of Armillaria is involved, and of possibly identifying the source of infection - (any dead wood within 10 metres the infection site!) if Herd900rd has the patience to try digging out the rhizomorphs.


CM

I have had a quick dig and there are some bootlace like roots. Are they from the tree or a fungus? They are 2-3 mm, and quite tough and rubbery. The outside dark skin peels off and the tough bit is inside, a yellowy colour. When I have photographed the small bits I have I will post. They are more grey than black as they dry out.