Category Archives: Fungi

Kretzschmaria deusta

Posted on March 9, 2018 by admin

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

Posted on October 8, 2016 by admin

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 →

Posted in Curiosities, Fungi | Leave a comment

Pear Trellis Rust

Posted on December 4, 2014 by admin

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

Posted on September 22, 2014 by admin

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 →

Posted in Fruit Trees, Fungi, Pests and Diseases | Leave a comment

Verticillium wilt

Posted on June 15, 2014 by admin

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 →

Posted in Fungi, Pests and Diseases, Tree Care | Leave a comment

Cherry Brown Rot

Posted on September 17, 2013 by admin

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 →

Posted in Fruit Trees, Fungi, Tree Care | Leave a comment

Reasons to Mulch… Morels!

Posted on April 20, 2013 by admin

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 →

Posted in Fungi, Landscapes | Leave a comment