Fungus damaging some of Greenville's oldest oaks

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http://greenvilleonline.com/news/2002/10/14/2002101429954.htm

October 14, 2002 - 1:24 pm

Fungus damaging some of Greenville's oldest oaks

By Bob Montgomery

ENVIRONMENTAL WRITER

bmontgom@...

Though not a widespread problem, a tree fungus that can strike any variety

of old oak trees and cause limbs to rot and fall has been found in

Greenville and has been made worse by the drought.

Hypoxylon canker, caused by an airborne fungus, is found in up to two dozen

oak trees in the city each year, said Ellis, director of the Greenville

Parks and Recreation Department.

It can show up in any tree, but it is more likely to be seen in a large oak

tree in an older neighborhood, he said.

Ellis said he's not aware of any recent problems with limbs falling.

" But crews do respond when they get a call from someone who suspects they

have a dying tree, said Dale Westermeier, city horticulturist.

Residents of Crescent and Prentiss avenues behind Cleveland Street are

worried that they'll not only lose the tall trees that makes their

neighborhood stand out, but that one day a dead limb may fall and hurt

someone.

" Everyone loves it here because the children play outside, " said Kay ,

who has lived on Prentiss Avenue for nearly 30 years. " They play on the

sidewalks and front yards.

" When we have a storm, we all have to go out and check the trees to make

sure we can let the children out, because you never know when (a limb) is

going to drop. "

When the neighborhood was planned about 100 years ago by early developer

Cagle, the area was considered away from the hustle, bustle and dirt

and odors of Main Street.

Now it is lined with mature trees, with each home having a character of its

own, neighbors knowing each other by first name, and being quietly located

just blocks from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

said several limbs and even entire mature trees along the sidewalk on

her street have had to be removed or replaced because of the fungus.

Harvell said she moved to Prentiss Avenue -- just a couple blacks from

the heavy traffic of Augusta and Church streets -- because she liked the

trees and the peaceful atmosphere that is normally quiet, except for the

joyous sounds of children when they are playing. Trees make it cooler during

warm weather and help cleanse the air, she said.

She said she believes her large oak tree, 100 years old, is one of the

largest oaks in Greenville County.

" When you think of East Prentiss Street, you think of Greenville, " she said,

walking her dogs near the large tree at her front yard sidewalk. When the

new sidewalk was installed 14 years ago, she urged workers to be careful not

to damage the roots.

" Without them, we'd be just another neighborhood, " Carvell said.

Westermeier said each tree call is different, and it depends on where the

tree is located in determining whether city crews will take care of the

problem. If it is on the homeowner's land, it's his responsibility to remove

it, he said.

There are several certified tree arborists with tree service businesses that

can be contacted to fix or remove trees, he said.

Statewide, hypoxylon canker also has not been a problem this year, said Ken

Cabe, spokesman for the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

The hypoxylon canker that affects older oak trees has been around for many

years, and is naturally occurring, said Clemson Extension forester Don Ham.

It tends to favor the older, weaker trees, he said.

Ham said it still isn't clear what causes an infected tree to die -- old

age, another disease, or the hypoxylon canker fungus.

" Trying to turn them around is seldom successful, " he said.

Still, many infected trees identified early enough can be saved if the

fungus is confined to the limbs, Ham said. Once it spreads to the trunk and

then the roots, forget it -- the tree cannot be saved.

It typically shows up on bark as a grayish color, then turns to brown and

black, with hundreds of small layers imbedded in the bark, Westermeier said.

The good news is that watering trees during a drought can help keep them

from becoming stressed, which makes them less susceptible to disease,

Westermeier said.

Sidney Jay of East Earl Street in the North Main area of Greenville said he

periodically checks his tall trees to make sure they're healthy. " Most trees

look strong, " he said. " But sometimes you can't tell.

Bob Montgomery covers environmental issues and can be reached at 298-4295.