Tree Biology – Defense Against Disease

How Do Trees Compartmentalize Against Decay? The diagram below shows the different cells that make up the biological structure of a tree. These cells have many different functions including compartmentalizing or containing the spread of decay. A trees ability to...

Disease Watch – Fireblight

Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) Bacterial infection NOT Fungal. This disease is common and effects ornamental trees in particular Apple and Pear trees. Symptoms are noticed from Spring to early Autumn. The disease causes leaves to wilt as if they have been exposed to...

Decay fungus on trees July 2018

Meripilus giganteus (giant polypore) This fungus is commonly found at the base of the following trees: Beech, Oak, Poplar. It is rarely found on conifers. Description – Overlapping fronds in clusters around the stem base. The fronds are up to 40 cm in width. The...

Decay fungus on trees 29th April 2018

Ustulina deusta This is a very serious fungus, because it is hard to spot, and in many cases an infected tree does not show symptoms of infection. The fungus is extremely aggressive in decaying live wood. The following detailed points will give the reader more...

How Do Tree Roots Grow? 26th March 2018

There is a popular misconception that tree roots grow deep down in the soil in order to anchor the tree in the ground, much like a mirror image of the canopy. This belief  is wrong, the majority of roots are near the surface of the soil, providing a wide but shallow...