Comments on: New Threat to our Michigan Trees

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:52:18 +0000

Most of the time there is an environmental problem at the root of the problem… not enough water, wrong tree for that site or something of that nature. Once in a while though, something like this comes along and really causes a lot of damage. I expect we will see more rather than less of these events because of “Globalization”.

By: victoria mcintyre

victoria mcintyre — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:19:46 +0000

It is so scary to see these trees dying. I have friends around Whitmore Lake and their trees (pine) are dead and have to be cut down.
There are some young trees (maple) along M-50 near Dundee that are whithering away, too. What’s wrong?
Joni Mitchell was right. We’ll be putting “tree[s] in a tree museum” before long.

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:25:01 +0000

Mary,
I don’t know if there is a solution to all of these imported problems we are getting. People’s greed and lack of respect for the common good of all of society is the basic cause. Someone, somewhere didn’t want to spend the little bit of extra money it would have taken to build those crates out of kiln-dried wood instead of green wood. So now, they saved hundreds of dollars and we lose billions.

Specifically though, the Christmas tree growers, tree nursery people, and homeowners will be able to spray chemicals for this pest. The trees in our forests however, will have to fend for themselves.

Since this is such a new pest, I’m not sure if spray recommendations have been released yet. The Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service will have the most up-to-date information regarding control or prevention of the Sirex Woodwasp.

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:04:14 +0000

What’s the cure? and/or prevention?