06-23-1987 PTRC Meeting Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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• -2- diseased trees to fresh cuts and injuries in uninfected trees. The likelihood that these damaged oaks will contract oak wilt disease is high. This oak wilt disease can then spread via root grafts to surrounding trees, including those trees in the adjoining nature preserve and the surrounding neighborhood. The damage has already been done and there are not a lot of preventative measures which can be taken. I would, however, .recommend that all injuries to these trees be sealed with a heavy coating of professional pruning seal. Although this is not generally,,a deterrent to the picnic beetle, it may help some. It appears that the clearing and grading was done without any prior consultation with the Forestry Department at the University of Minnesota or the Horticulture Society. A call to Deb Brown, Fred Glasow or Glenn Ray at the Horticulture Society could possibly have prevented the extinction of these beautiful trees. (One expert estimated that some of these trees are 200-250 years old. ) At this time we cannot predict the extent of any possible oak wilt disease. Most of the trees are white oaks and do not show the effects as quickly as • red oaks and pin oaks. In most instances, it takes 4-5 years for the disease to show up on these types of trees. Once a tree shows signs of the oak wilt disease, it is important that a deep trench be dug around the entire tree to prevent the disease from spreading to neighboring trees through root grafts. The Arden Hills Parks Departments could lend some advice on this procedure. Let 's hope my predictions are wrong. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. Sincerely, Don Messerly 3915 N. Fairview Arden Hills, MN (H) 633-7022 (W) 569-4937 DM/Qtc cc: John Buckley Arden Hills Parks Director i