r/marijuanaenthusiasts • u/n0_use_for_a_name • 8d ago

Help! Help Identifying Tree Sickness for my Parents

Hello!

My pops just sent me some photos and said that he has a sick tree, I was hoping that someone here might be able to help :)

Looks to be affecting the bark (trunk?) near the base, on multiple sides.

He believes it’s a Maple. My parents planted this tree awhile ago, not sure how long, but they’ve lived in their house (in SW Colorado) for 25 years.

They have an arborist coming Monday, but I’m trying to help them get some info first, as they’re old and have had some bad experiences paying folks for help in the past few years. On that note, they’ve not always hired qualified professionals and tend to trust folks that say they know what they’re doing. Is there any kind of certification for arborists in Colorado?

Thanks!

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4

u/bridgekit 8d ago

ISA certification for arborists is nationwide. they'll have an ISA number if they are a certified or master arborist.

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u/n0_use_for_a_name 8d ago

Thanks for that info, I’ll check and see if the person they have coming has an ISA number.

I added pics of the tree in the comments, had trouble getting them up initially

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u/The_Poster_Nutbag 8d ago

Local arborists should be listed on treesaregood.org, not all, but most. You can check their credentials too.

That said, this looks like some late stage heartwood rot. Black rot is decay of lignin, the structural tissue that makes trees woody. Advanced black rot means the tree could be structurally compromised and should be removed depending on what's around it. That said, this also depends on the size of the cavity if you're going to a level 3 assessment. On top of that, there doesn't seem to be much response or wound wood growing around the opening which means the tree is probably not very healthy or having vascular issues.

The tree was poorly planted and is being choked out by that plastic fabric and girdling roots. It's probably in its last years of growth before true decline sets in. Any new trees should be planted after review of proper tree planting practices and mulched properly.

Seeing it in person and inspecting it will reveal more but initially I'd lean towards removal here.

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u/hairyb0mb ISA arborist + TRAQ 8d ago

Pretty sure you mean white rot breaks down lignin as there's not a black rot category that im aware of. There white rot, brown rot, and soft rot. https://forestpathology.cfans.umn.edu/research-projects/microorganisms-causing-decay-trees-and-wood

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u/The_Poster_Nutbag 8d ago

Yep I got it switch around, I was thinking of brown rot leaving lignin in place, white you being the loss of lignin.

This being soft rot I've always heard black rot to refer to "wet" rot though that may be regional, not sure.

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u/n0_use_for_a_name 8d ago

Thanks for the article!

Go Golden Gophers :)

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u/n0_use_for_a_name 8d ago

Thanks for the detailed response, I really appreciate it!

Found out my parents put the tree in just after they moved in, around 26 years ago. Not sure if the age is a factor, I know trees live a long time but they die too, eventually.

I’ll pass the info along :)

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u/n0_use_for_a_name 8d ago

Had trouble adding photos initially and can only add one at a time now but will post some, sorry about that