Tree Problems in Cobmoosa Shores
Progress Report October 20, 2022
MCD treatment of CSA Hemlocks
Jill reported that the treatment was completed over a total of 5 days though there were days that the weather interfered. She has updated the CSA hemlock database to reflect the treatment. MCD has also created their own database where every treated tree is identified by its geolocation and lot number.
Affirmation of CSA's Treatment Approach
Paul related a conversation that he had with a member who is a professor at MSU who mentioned that he had spoken with a friend who works for the state Department of Agriculture. This friend said that our approach to treating our hemlocks sounded ideal. (At the end of the meeting, members expressed great satisfaction with the committee's work, with particular appreciation expressed for Jill and Janis.)
MCD Survey of Members' Trees
This has similarly been completed by MCD. 66 members' hemlocks were surveyed--about 50% of the total lots within Cobmoosa Shores. (An estimated third of the Association's area do not contain hemlocks.) At Kara's request, responsibility for emailing the survey results and treatment costs to the email addresses supplied by the relevant members was delegated to the committee. Some members have already received and returned signed contracts to MCD.
Other members are reporting that they didn't receive the cost estimates despite the fact that the emails had not bounced back. (Some lack of mastery of technology on their parts may be a factor in their not looking for these in either their Spam or Trash folders.) Despite the instruction to address any additional questions to Kara at MCD and not Janis, she is fielding questions from members who seem not to have absorbed the information that they've been previously provided. Ernie volunteered to have additional questions referred to him.
The consensus was that the Committee and Board have made all necessary information available one way or another, but there will be an ongoing need to continue to educate the membership and refer them to the previously provided information (or to Kara).
Members who choose not to contract with MCD for treatment will not be charged for the survey of their hemlocks. Those who choose to contract will receive a bill for the survey as well as the treatment. (As previously mentioned, MCD is charging for only their costs of surveying and treating.)
An Email from a Member
A member emailed the committee that she and her husband believe that 5 surveyed hemlocks were actually on their neighbor's property. Since MCD used geolocation and a plat map incorporated into their rather sophisticated system, it is likely that these trees are on the member’s property, not on the neighbor’s property. The committee has informed the member that since it is every member's responsibility to know the boundaries of their property, the member should work with Kara at the MCD to verify the ownership of the trees in question.
PFOS in imidacloprid
Committee members were previously referred to a Guardian article based upon research that identified that the investigator's sample of imidacloprid was found to contain a PFAS chemical, PFOS (perfluorooctanesulphonate). (The source of the PFOS was not identified.) The methods of application that are being used within the Association restrict the chemical to the physical structure of the hemlocks, and minimizes or prevents any contamination of the ground or groundwater. Since imidacloprid is frequently used to treat lawns for grubs and on agricultural crops, there is far more risk of contamination (or ingestion by people!) from those things.
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MCD treatment of CSA Hemlocks
Jill reported that the treatment was completed over a total of 5 days though there were days that the weather interfered. She has updated the CSA hemlock database to reflect the treatment. MCD has also created their own database where every treated tree is identified by its geolocation and lot number.
Affirmation of CSA's Treatment Approach
Paul related a conversation that he had with a member who is a professor at MSU who mentioned that he had spoken with a friend who works for the state Department of Agriculture. This friend said that our approach to treating our hemlocks sounded ideal. (At the end of the meeting, members expressed great satisfaction with the committee's work, with particular appreciation expressed for Jill and Janis.)
MCD Survey of Members' Trees
This has similarly been completed by MCD. 66 members' hemlocks were surveyed--about 50% of the total lots within Cobmoosa Shores. (An estimated third of the Association's area do not contain hemlocks.) At Kara's request, responsibility for emailing the survey results and treatment costs to the email addresses supplied by the relevant members was delegated to the committee. Some members have already received and returned signed contracts to MCD.
Other members are reporting that they didn't receive the cost estimates despite the fact that the emails had not bounced back. (Some lack of mastery of technology on their parts may be a factor in their not looking for these in either their Spam or Trash folders.) Despite the instruction to address any additional questions to Kara at MCD and not Janis, she is fielding questions from members who seem not to have absorbed the information that they've been previously provided. Ernie volunteered to have additional questions referred to him.
The consensus was that the Committee and Board have made all necessary information available one way or another, but there will be an ongoing need to continue to educate the membership and refer them to the previously provided information (or to Kara).
Members who choose not to contract with MCD for treatment will not be charged for the survey of their hemlocks. Those who choose to contract will receive a bill for the survey as well as the treatment. (As previously mentioned, MCD is charging for only their costs of surveying and treating.)
An Email from a Member
A member emailed the committee that she and her husband believe that 5 surveyed hemlocks were actually on their neighbor's property. Since MCD used geolocation and a plat map incorporated into their rather sophisticated system, it is likely that these trees are on the member’s property, not on the neighbor’s property. The committee has informed the member that since it is every member's responsibility to know the boundaries of their property, the member should work with Kara at the MCD to verify the ownership of the trees in question.
PFOS in imidacloprid
Committee members were previously referred to a Guardian article based upon research that identified that the investigator's sample of imidacloprid was found to contain a PFAS chemical, PFOS (perfluorooctanesulphonate). (The source of the PFOS was not identified.) The methods of application that are being used within the Association restrict the chemical to the physical structure of the hemlocks, and minimizes or prevents any contamination of the ground or groundwater. Since imidacloprid is frequently used to treat lawns for grubs and on agricultural crops, there is far more risk of contamination (or ingestion by people!) from those things.
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Overview
We are facing an urgent problem regarding the trees in Cobmoosa Shores. With the assistance of Rod Denning (District Forester, Michigan Forestry Assistance Program), Drew Rayner (West Michigan HWA Coordinator, Michigan Department of Natural Resources), and Keely Dunham-Adkins (West Michigan CISMA Coordinator) we have documented the presence of Oak Wilt and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA) in Cobmoosa.
The Cobmoosa Board of Directors has established a Tree Committee with board members Rick Emerson and Paul Jordan acting as co-chairs. Also serving on this committee are board members Tim Pieri and William Rafaill, and association members Jill Dedic, Cheryl Jordan, Janis Morrison, and Ernest Ryan.
The purpose of this committee is to gather and disseminate information regarding the various tree diseases (such as oak wilt and hemlock wooly adelgid) in the area, to work with local agencies (such as the Oceana Conservation District) to assess their effect on the trees within Cobmoosa Shores, and to propose solutions to combat these diseases.
Please refer also to the 9/9/19 News & Notes item on the CSA Website.
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We are facing an urgent problem regarding the trees in Cobmoosa Shores. With the assistance of Rod Denning (District Forester, Michigan Forestry Assistance Program), Drew Rayner (West Michigan HWA Coordinator, Michigan Department of Natural Resources), and Keely Dunham-Adkins (West Michigan CISMA Coordinator) we have documented the presence of Oak Wilt and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA) in Cobmoosa.
The Cobmoosa Board of Directors has established a Tree Committee with board members Rick Emerson and Paul Jordan acting as co-chairs. Also serving on this committee are board members Tim Pieri and William Rafaill, and association members Jill Dedic, Cheryl Jordan, Janis Morrison, and Ernest Ryan.
The purpose of this committee is to gather and disseminate information regarding the various tree diseases (such as oak wilt and hemlock wooly adelgid) in the area, to work with local agencies (such as the Oceana Conservation District) to assess their effect on the trees within Cobmoosa Shores, and to propose solutions to combat these diseases.
Please refer also to the 9/9/19 News & Notes item on the CSA Website.
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Oak Wilt
What is Oak Wilt?
Oak wilt, Ceratocystis fagacearum, is a fungal disease that moves through the vascular system (water conducting tissue) of the tree. The fungus spores are carried to the tree by small beetles that feed on sap from fresh wounds. These sap beetles that carry the disease from infected trees are attracted to fresh wounds from storm damage, pruning cuts or other injuries to previously uninfected trees. Once the beetles feed and the fungus moves into the vascular tissue, the tree reacts and tries to wall off the spread of the disease by plugging cells which causes branches to wilt. The disease can also spread from already infected oaks by moving through root grafts between trees of the same species. This is why oak wilt spreads so effectively between nearby trees.
Oaks are divided into two groups, the red oaks and the white oaks. Red oaks (pin, black, and northern red) are more susceptible than the white oaks (white, bur, swamp white). Infected red oak trees can wilt and die within several weeks, while white oaks may survive for one or more years. The first symptom is browning leaves at the top of the tree. Leaves brown from their margins at the end of the leaf and continues to progress along the margins and down towards the mid-vein and stem of the leaf. Whole branches may be seen yellowing and then browning as the disease progresses down the branch. This is first seen in late spring to early summer. Leaves litter the ground around the tree as the tree wilts. Another symptom is a fungal mat that grows under the bark, creating pressure causing bark to crack. These fungal mats attract sap beetles where the insects pick up spores of the disease, carrying it to uninfected trees that are freshly wounded, releasing the spores as they feed.
A correct diagnosis is critical to reducing the spread of the disease.
The previous paragraphs have been taken from the Michigan DNR site. To read more you may wish to start with the general information on Oak Wilt at Michigan Department of Natural Resources. For more detail please visit the Oak Wilt Overview section of the Michigan DNR site and then the Oak Wilt Information section of the Michigan DNR site. You may also wish to visit the MSU College of Agricultural & Natural Resources and peruse the many entries on Oak Wilt there.
Pruning Oak Trees
When can Oak trees be pruned? Can pruning Oak trees spread the disease? Oak trees should not be pruned from April to October. It is the one thing each of us can do to slow if not halt the spread of Oak Wilt.
The 4/14/21 MSU Extension article addresses these questions in more detail.
Treatment
The Board established the Oak Wilt Fungicide Program. Please refer to the 5/22/20 News & Notes item on the CSA website.
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What is Oak Wilt?
Oak wilt, Ceratocystis fagacearum, is a fungal disease that moves through the vascular system (water conducting tissue) of the tree. The fungus spores are carried to the tree by small beetles that feed on sap from fresh wounds. These sap beetles that carry the disease from infected trees are attracted to fresh wounds from storm damage, pruning cuts or other injuries to previously uninfected trees. Once the beetles feed and the fungus moves into the vascular tissue, the tree reacts and tries to wall off the spread of the disease by plugging cells which causes branches to wilt. The disease can also spread from already infected oaks by moving through root grafts between trees of the same species. This is why oak wilt spreads so effectively between nearby trees.
Oaks are divided into two groups, the red oaks and the white oaks. Red oaks (pin, black, and northern red) are more susceptible than the white oaks (white, bur, swamp white). Infected red oak trees can wilt and die within several weeks, while white oaks may survive for one or more years. The first symptom is browning leaves at the top of the tree. Leaves brown from their margins at the end of the leaf and continues to progress along the margins and down towards the mid-vein and stem of the leaf. Whole branches may be seen yellowing and then browning as the disease progresses down the branch. This is first seen in late spring to early summer. Leaves litter the ground around the tree as the tree wilts. Another symptom is a fungal mat that grows under the bark, creating pressure causing bark to crack. These fungal mats attract sap beetles where the insects pick up spores of the disease, carrying it to uninfected trees that are freshly wounded, releasing the spores as they feed.
A correct diagnosis is critical to reducing the spread of the disease.
The previous paragraphs have been taken from the Michigan DNR site. To read more you may wish to start with the general information on Oak Wilt at Michigan Department of Natural Resources. For more detail please visit the Oak Wilt Overview section of the Michigan DNR site and then the Oak Wilt Information section of the Michigan DNR site. You may also wish to visit the MSU College of Agricultural & Natural Resources and peruse the many entries on Oak Wilt there.
Pruning Oak Trees
When can Oak trees be pruned? Can pruning Oak trees spread the disease? Oak trees should not be pruned from April to October. It is the one thing each of us can do to slow if not halt the spread of Oak Wilt.
The 4/14/21 MSU Extension article addresses these questions in more detail.
Treatment
The Board established the Oak Wilt Fungicide Program. Please refer to the 5/22/20 News & Notes item on the CSA website.
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Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA)
What is HWA?
Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annad) has been on Michigan’s “most unwanted” list for years. This invasive forest insect has killed hundreds of thousands of hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) in eastern states. It threatens more than 170 million hemlock trees in Michigan forests, and if not controlled, it will also kill hemlock trees in landscapes.
Small, localized infestations of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) were recently discovered in western lower Michigan. Evidence suggests that some of these infestations are at least 10 years old and probably originated when infested hemlock trees from other states were planted in landscapes. Surveys are continuing, and additional HWA infestations may yet be found. This bulletin is designed to help you learn to recognize HWA and understand the potential impacts of this invader in Michigan.
The above was taken from this MSU website. Follow the link to learn more from this website.
Additional information may be found at this DNR website, as well as the Save Michigan Hemlocks website. A good HWA thumbnail summary can also be found on the “Save Michigan Hemlocks” website. You may also wish to download this MSU Extension “tip sheet” on HWA. Lastly, you will find this YouTube video produced by the DNR to also be informative.
Treatment on Association Property
The Tree Committee recommended, and the Board approved, an Incremental Treatment plan to treat infected Hemlock trees on Association property. Treatment began in 2021 and, as described in the plan, will continue over the next several years. You may wish to download a copy of this plan to use as a guideline to develop a plan to treat Hemlock trees on your property.
Treatment on Member Property
It is imperative for members to understand that the board cannot authorize any form of treatment on the personal property of members. Members of the Tree Committee will gladly assist you in assessing your trees and offering suggestions on how best to proceed.
In addition, there is help for members from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Drew Rayner, the coordinator for the Hemlock Wooly Adelgeid Forest Health and Cooperative Program, has notified us that this program is presently surveying trees in the Muskegon area. Drew said they will be in our area to survey trees in the fall of 2022, and in our area the following spring (2023) to treat the trees that were found to have the disease.
According to Drew untreated HWA trees will die within 10 years. Based upon his observations infected Hemlock trees in Cobmoosa are in year 3 to 4 of that 10-year term. Therefore, this “delay” to survey (2022) and treat (2023) should not be a problem.
To become part of the program, you can call (611) 414-2055 to be put on the list for surveying and treating the trees on your property. Since this program is possible due to a grant, it will share the cost for the treatment with you. For more invitation you may wish to visit the Save Michigan Hemlocks website. Or, as noted in the “Other Information” section below, members may contract with a private contractor to survey and treat the trees on their property
Tracking Treated Trees
Hemlock trees on Association property that are infected, that have or will be treated have been tagged. The Tree Committee is developing a database to log this data. Members that develop a plan to treat their trees should consider a means of tracking.
Other Information
HWA treatment can be done from mid-May to mid-October. Depending on what form of HWA treatment is used, Hemlocks will need continued treatments every 3-7 years, for the life of the tree.
Homeowners can purchase HWA treatment products online or contact any local Certified Specialist for treatment options. It is illegal for anyone to purchase these products on your behalf unless they are licensed in the State of Michigan.
Follow this link for a list of licensed pesticide contractors compiled by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
It is imperative for members to understand that the Tree Committee, with the approval of the board, has already begun to treat hemlock trees on association property. However, the board cannot authorize any form of treatment on the personal property of members. Members of the Tree Committee will gladly assist you in assessing your trees and offering suggestions on how best to proceed.
Downloads for Additional Information
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What is HWA?
Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annad) has been on Michigan’s “most unwanted” list for years. This invasive forest insect has killed hundreds of thousands of hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) in eastern states. It threatens more than 170 million hemlock trees in Michigan forests, and if not controlled, it will also kill hemlock trees in landscapes.
Small, localized infestations of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) were recently discovered in western lower Michigan. Evidence suggests that some of these infestations are at least 10 years old and probably originated when infested hemlock trees from other states were planted in landscapes. Surveys are continuing, and additional HWA infestations may yet be found. This bulletin is designed to help you learn to recognize HWA and understand the potential impacts of this invader in Michigan.
The above was taken from this MSU website. Follow the link to learn more from this website.
Additional information may be found at this DNR website, as well as the Save Michigan Hemlocks website. A good HWA thumbnail summary can also be found on the “Save Michigan Hemlocks” website. You may also wish to download this MSU Extension “tip sheet” on HWA. Lastly, you will find this YouTube video produced by the DNR to also be informative.
Treatment on Association Property
The Tree Committee recommended, and the Board approved, an Incremental Treatment plan to treat infected Hemlock trees on Association property. Treatment began in 2021 and, as described in the plan, will continue over the next several years. You may wish to download a copy of this plan to use as a guideline to develop a plan to treat Hemlock trees on your property.
Treatment on Member Property
It is imperative for members to understand that the board cannot authorize any form of treatment on the personal property of members. Members of the Tree Committee will gladly assist you in assessing your trees and offering suggestions on how best to proceed.
In addition, there is help for members from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Drew Rayner, the coordinator for the Hemlock Wooly Adelgeid Forest Health and Cooperative Program, has notified us that this program is presently surveying trees in the Muskegon area. Drew said they will be in our area to survey trees in the fall of 2022, and in our area the following spring (2023) to treat the trees that were found to have the disease.
According to Drew untreated HWA trees will die within 10 years. Based upon his observations infected Hemlock trees in Cobmoosa are in year 3 to 4 of that 10-year term. Therefore, this “delay” to survey (2022) and treat (2023) should not be a problem.
To become part of the program, you can call (611) 414-2055 to be put on the list for surveying and treating the trees on your property. Since this program is possible due to a grant, it will share the cost for the treatment with you. For more invitation you may wish to visit the Save Michigan Hemlocks website. Or, as noted in the “Other Information” section below, members may contract with a private contractor to survey and treat the trees on their property
Tracking Treated Trees
Hemlock trees on Association property that are infected, that have or will be treated have been tagged. The Tree Committee is developing a database to log this data. Members that develop a plan to treat their trees should consider a means of tracking.
Other Information
HWA treatment can be done from mid-May to mid-October. Depending on what form of HWA treatment is used, Hemlocks will need continued treatments every 3-7 years, for the life of the tree.
Homeowners can purchase HWA treatment products online or contact any local Certified Specialist for treatment options. It is illegal for anyone to purchase these products on your behalf unless they are licensed in the State of Michigan.
Follow this link for a list of licensed pesticide contractors compiled by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
It is imperative for members to understand that the Tree Committee, with the approval of the board, has already begun to treat hemlock trees on association property. However, the board cannot authorize any form of treatment on the personal property of members. Members of the Tree Committee will gladly assist you in assessing your trees and offering suggestions on how best to proceed.
Downloads for Additional Information
- Insecticide Treatment for HWA
- How to Treat
- Distribution of HWA in 2020
- HWA Infestation History in Michigan
- HWA in Oceana County
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