Madrone Renewal and Reporting Animal, Insect and Disease Forest Damage

By Thembi Borras

We can all breath a collective sigh of relief, the madrones, for the most part, are back and more glorious than ever. Madrones are susceptible to foliar leaf pathogens, the symptoms of which can range from small necrotic leaf spots to the entire leaf dying such as we have seen evolve over the course of the last year. In January of 2006 I reported that the late spring rains in 2005 had created a prime environment, high moisture during a warmer time of the year, for the growth of foliar pathogens including the native foliar pathogen causing the malady. At that time, I thought the consequence would likely be slowed growth, but the madrone would recover.

As time and the spring equinox passed and the madrones showed no signs of improvement, I became less certain that they would make a full recovery and thought it likely that at the very least there would be lasting effects such as part of the tree dying. Finally, spring brought renewal; flawless leaves began emerging three weeks ago and now govern the dead leaves that subtend them.

There are several resources available to address your concerns about tree damage caused by animals, insects and diseases. I recommend the annual reports published by the California Forest Pest Council entitled "California Forest Pest Conditions". This report summarizes the forest pest activity in California per year by providing information submitted by the aerial survey program, entomologists, pathologists, botanists and other forest health specialists. To view this report go to www.fire.ca.gov, click on Resource Management and Forestry, click on Pest Management under Category Links and click on California Forest Pest Conditions Report.

The California Forest Pest Council also sponsors the Cooperative Forest Pest Detection Survey to which they encourage federal, state, and private land managers and individuals to contribute by submitting pest injury reports and samples. For instructions on collecting and mailing samples and to fill out a Forest Pest Detection Report, go to www.fire.ca.gov, click on Resource Management and Forestry, click on Pest Management under Category Links and click on Forest Pest Detection Report Form.