What is root rot and what can be done about it?
Answer… Root rot is a generic term that refers to a group of tree diseases that affect the roots of trees. These diseases are usually caused by fungi which are plant-like organisms that are often microscopic. Molds that grows on cheese and things left too long in the refrigerator are fungi – but not the same ones that cause root rot. Root rot fungi attack roots of living trees and either kill the roots or rot the wood and weaken the ability of the root system to hold the tree up. Root rots kill trees, weaken them so that insects can kill them (some of our bark beetle problems are a result of root rots), or weaken the tree’s root structure so that wind can blow them down. Once a tree has root rot there is little we can do to save the tree. We can’t spray it with a chemical (fungicide) that will kill or reduce the rot. Once the tree dies, the fungus can live on in the dead roots and stump for up to 50 years. The fungus can attack roots of other trees when their roots grow into contact
