Monday, October 3, 2016

Tree Care Helps Keep Wild Mushrooms Where They Belong, On Plates



Mushrooms may look great on a plate but no one is happy to see them pop up in beautifully landscaped lawns. In South Florida, their presence generally signals a growing fungal problem that could decimate a property over time. Thus, it’s imperative that at the first signs of fungal invaders, homeowners contact a tree care specialist.

Although there are many problematic fungi living along the Gulf Coast, there is one of particular concern to certified arborists. It’s armillaria. There are a number of things that make it a certified arborist’s concern, not the least of which is its inherent ability to spread underground as well as above it. This duality virtually ensures that the fungus will continue to thrive in Florida without tree care experts’ intervention.

The good news is healthy trees rarely fall prey to armillaria. It’s the ones that are weakened by drought, poor care, open wounds and pests that are most at risk of becoming a fungal host. Their immune systems are frequently taxed to the point of being unable to aggressively fend off subsequent offenders. As such, the spores are able to work their way into the tree’s sensitive, root system and begin their dirty work. Afterward, arborists will have no choice but to recommend that property owners take uncompromising action.

Hard-nosed action generally involved removing all infected trees in their entirety and treating the soil. At first blush, treating the soil once the trees are removed may seem like overkill. It’s not because remember, this particular time of fungus is capable of living and spreading underground. So the surrounding earth’s health has to be addressed too. Otherwise, property owners run an overwhelming risk of losing additional trees to the fungal spores in the future. To learn more about tree care measures used to address potential armillaria outbreaks, please contact your local Gulfport MS tree service provider.

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