Tree and Plant Root rot (But rot) is the one of the most common disease affecting garden life, causing headaches and costly work to revitalise.

Many common garden and forest fungi are capable of causing root rots and in most of the time will cause considerable decay of the roots and stumps of trees.

This kind of problem is common on older trees or those trees with a history of basal injury. Tree rots thrive on poor soil conditions. This can be from over or underwatering. Ensuring you have a good quality hose reel will go some way to both preventing and curing root rot. Trees with extensive root rot are less able to tolerate extreme weather conditions like extended droughts, long periods of heavy rain, or unusually high temperatures.

Recognition: Trees with root and butt rots typically have loss and/or discoloration of branches and foliage, generally an unhealthy or sad appearance is evident. Diseased roots will also (if you can see them) exhibit signs of discoloration and signifiant decay. Infected trees can live for years without showing these symptoms though more often extensive rot will cause death within a couple of months or years depending on the size of the tree.

Prevention: Prevention is the only cure. Prevent root diseases by avoiding root damage and wounds to the lower trunks of trees. Plant away from areas with a history of root disease, always remove old stumps and roots that have been infected. Ensure soil sterilization and irrigation with a high quality hose reel and use pesticides such as methyl bromide or vapam according to local conditions and state and federal regulations.

Control: Effective treatments for curing established root diseases in trees are unknown.

Good luck and keep coming back for more information on gardning and garden care, from Hydro Industries, makes of auto rewinding hose reels.