The Chilean Cypress "might be the oldest". OK, I'd emphasize the "might". Without a published, peer-reviewed ring count, preferably a cross-dated one, well, it's just wishful thinking.
"Mights" don't count much in the dendrochronology research world.
Yes, soil-borne. Like I say, would be good to get a sample tested. Most of the University of California stuff on VW concerns flower and vegetable crops, but there is a little article from San Francisco here.
OK, if the sample was handy I'd check with a magnifier to be sure it's a cellular mass and not dried gunk. Instead, I will continue with the possibility of embarrassing myself: I'd start with genus Dacrymyces (in a broad sense), which is one of the jelly fungi. Yes, a basidiomycete to be sure...
Although it is not my stuff, other scientists (e.g., Drs. Kathleen Knight and Jennifer Koch, based in Delaware, OH) in my USDA Forest Service research unit are working on a couple of different angles for EAB resistance. Have a look at the recent publication here. Much more is linked to the EAB...
Thanks JD for the nudge.
Those little black dots are important to look for....but are not always unambiguous. Rhizosphaera is primarily on spruce and not reported as affecting juniper or Cupressaceae.
As with JD, I'd start with Phomopsis blight, in which case those black dots would likely be...
In the old days, folks didn't expect maximum output every year, from any agricultural source and particularly fruit trees. Many old-timey apple varieties in New England will have "heavy" fruiting season every other or every third year. The old timey view was that out of seven years, "normal"...
The Arnold Arboretum (part of the Harvard University Collections) in Jamaica Plain (Greater Boston) is great (and free). Lilacs should be peaking this week.
Yes, the recommendation was from Shigo. It is a belief based on .... a logical extension of the reasonable expectation that when the tree has a lot going on, it's best avoid treatments that require resources from the tree.
But yes, DSMc is ahead of me here. Keep in mind that when Shigo was most...
Bayers, the lack of responses here may be due simply to the large number of possible explanations with very little provided by way of disease symptoms and signs. I'll jump in: wild-grown seedlings in native stands often look pretty beat up. As for these in pot culture: I'd look closely (meaning...
And plant guides themselves vary in breadth and depth. Indeed, Dirr's Manual is pretty darn complete, particularly for ornamental varieties. I refer more often to simpler regional guides for native trees e.g., Harlow's Fruit and Twig key for northeastern species. Lots of used copies out there...
Thanks JD, Oh yes, treerot.com is still up and updated, I usually reach it through Chris's personal site (above). Yes, Chris and retired FS top mycologist Dr. Hal Burdsall and Messiah University Prof. Em. Gary Emberger do a good job there.
Thanks Mr. Organic, well, I don't know as much as I used to, but I'll take that as a sign of spiritual development.
I used to recommend "Wood Decay Fungi in the Northeast and Central US" self-published in 2005 by Chris Luley, PhD. He hosts an excellent website with his free publications from...
Lovely, Mr Serf! As for ID, I'd start with Fomitopsis pinicola. Yes, the epithet (the second part of the scientific name) indicates hitting pine species, and that is true, it's one of the comparatively few switch hitters for both pine and hardwoods. I think I've only seen it on paper birch. And...
I'm one of those east-coasters myself, but I do mess with folks through the Western Chapter of ISA. Have you tuned in via chapter membership or direct contacts? Seems to me (as an interloper) that there are folks who can help you out.
I have to say, Mr. Surveyor, that's the kind of fancy label I look for with respect to maple syrup! I don't know Mr. Powers, but I wish him and his trees well.
For about 6 years in central NH, I ran about 50 taps with galvanized buckets and cooked it down in the driveway. Small time, but...
'course multiply that by 10 (or way more) for unidentified forest fungi and actinomycetes! Nice note! My wife, who subscribes to The Guardian, just sent me the link. Oh, and for those curious: When you break open a freshly dug clod of rich dark earth and smell that clean soil, clean forest life...