You are reminded to avoid pruning oak trees between April 15 and July 15 to help prevent the spread of Oak Wilt. For more information see this article posted by the Oceana Conservation District.
Practice “Dune Diligence”
Protect Marram Grass, aka Beach Grass (Ammophila breviligulata Fernald) Within Cobmoosa Shores we are fortunate to have beach and sand dune areas available for us to enjoy. The dunes, in particular, are fragile ecosystems subject to erosion by wind and water. The critical “sand-binder” in Michigan’s active, coastal dune areas is a grass called marram or beach grass. As a pioneer species, it is exquisitely adapted to survive in areas characterized by high winds, low moisture, low nutrient levels, and moving sand. Marram grass slows blowing sand by impeding it with above ground shoots, after which the sand falls down to the base of these plants and begins to pile up. The grass eventually gets buried, but then sends up more above ground parts while an extensive system of underground stems (rhizomes) and associated roots form a dense mat which binds up the loose sand and helps prevent dune erosion. As the sand becomes somewhat stabilized, other plant species with similar adaptations to a dune environment are able to take root and promote further stabilization. Some of these are other grass species such as sand reedgrass (Calamovilfa longifolia (Hook.) Scribn.) and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash). Especially during high-water periods, when dune and shoreline bluff erosion can be quite rapid, we need to do all we can to protect marram grass and its associates that act to stabilize the moving sand. If we damage or kill these all-important sand-binders, the sand particles will no longer be held in place, other species of vegetation will not be able to gain a foothold, and the animals that would find homes in vegetated, more stable dunes will not be able to live there. Marram grass has a stem that can be damaged when walked on, and we all know that covering plants with opaque objects can kill them, so leaving boats on the dunes or other objects that block marram grass from the sun is not a good idea. In addition, root systems can become exposed or damaged by dragging chairs, boats, and toys across the dunes. Children digging in the dunes and sliding down dune banks can also damage the grasses. For these reasons, practice “dune diligence” and stay off these fragile areas as much as possible so as not to harm these stabilizing grasses. Prepared by Barbara L. Rafaill, PhD 12 September 2020 As you may know, a disease called oak wilt has gained a toehold in Cobmoosa Shores. At present, it seems to be confined to the easternmost area bounded by Paubawme, Shawbacoung, and Ottawattamie but it has the potential to spread throughout the association. The board has instituted a program to help property owners protect potentially endangered trees on their property by loaning the equipment needed to inject fungicide into their healthy but threatened trees. Treating four trees that are 2-feet in diameter will require 25 injectors, a (diluted) quart of propicanizole 14:3, and 100 wooden plugs. The total cost to a member would be approximately $64 for four 2-foot trees.
Oak wilt is a fungus that red oaks, black oaks and, to a lesser degree, white oaks. It spreads through two means: through the interconnected root systems of oaks, and by insects carrying spores from tree to tree. Once a tree is infected, it will die in a matter of months. How Can Oak Wilt be Prevented?
Oak wilt can be prevented by physically isolating infected trees by trenching around them to separate their root systems from those of uninfected trees. This is very expensive and requires the cooperation of neighbors. A much cheaper prevention involves drilling 11/64-inch holes at 3-inch intervals around the circumference of your healthy trees and injecting a diluted fungicide into the tree. Once injection is completed, the holes are filled with wooden plugs. Sterilization of equipment is extremely important after treating one tree and before treating the next. In one study in northern Michigan, 12 healthy red oaks surrounding a cluster of diseased trees were treated with propicanizole. All were still healthy after three years. However, similar results are not guaranteed. Learn More To learn more about Oak Wilt you may visit YouTube and search using the keywords “Oak Wilt” and/or contact Rod Denning, District Forester, by calling the Oceana Conservation District at 231/861-5600. Be advised that Rod as District Forester serves Oceana, Muskegon, and Newaygo Counties; he “in the field” more than he is “in the office”. |
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