Category Archives: Fungi

Kretzschmaria deusta

It may sound like some kind of monster, and in some ways it is, though normally it just appears as in innocuous fungus at the base of hardwood trees. It’s a fungus called Kretzschmaria deusta found in temperate climates worldwide … Continue reading

Posted in Fungi, Tree Care | 1 Comment

Trunk decay

I came across something interesting last week while removing a small cypress tree in the Madison Valley of Seattle. The tree had a lot of recent branch and foliage die-back and generally was not looking robust. When I made the … Continue reading

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Pear Trellis Rust

Pear trellis rust (Gymnosporangium sabinae) is an interesting fungus in that it requires two entirely different plant hosts to complete its life cycle – pear and juniper. Spores produced on junipers only infect pears, and those produced on pear only … Continue reading

Posted in Fruit Trees, Fungi, Pests and Diseases, Tree Care | 1 Comment

Quince Leaf Blight

Quince trees seem to be one of the least common fruit trees in Seattle, and Western Washington in general. This is unfortunate because they can be made into some delicious jams and sauces. If you’re fortunate enough to have a … Continue reading

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Verticillium wilt

Around the Seattle area this spring I noticed a number of Japanese Maples infected with what appears to be verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum). This soil borne fungi can infect a very wide range of species. It causes … Continue reading

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Cherry Brown Rot

It’s well past cherry season here in Seattle and Western Washington, but earlier this summer you may have noticed a brown mold covering fruits just as they were ripening. This is due to a fungus called cherry brown rot or … Continue reading

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Reasons to Mulch… Morels!

Adding mulch around young trees and in landscaped areas is one of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do for your plants. You may also get an edible surprise in the spring or fall. I found these Morels … Continue reading

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