BROOKINGS – Dusty Rodiek, director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, told the Brookings City Council on Tuesday that Brookings’ trees are doing fine, but some spruce are more susceptible to disease due to their age.
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BROOKINGS – Dusty Rodiek, director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, told the Brookings City Council on Tuesday that Brookings’ trees are doing fine, but some spruce are more susceptible to disease due to their age.
After Diane Fjerstad asked the council on Aug. 27 why all the pine trees in town were dying, City Manager Paul Briseno said he’d have Rodiek check into it.
“What I can say with some assurance is most of the trees in the community are healthy,” Rodiek said in his report to the council Tuesday.
“Having said that, many of the trees, particularly spruces … are reaching an age of risk for fungus diseases,” Rodiek said, adding another danger for trees is “mechanical damage” like from wind and too much weight on the branches.
Spruces, particularly the blue spruce, face primary problems from needle cast disease, which is a fungus disease, he said.
“Unfortunately, they tend to develop with cool, wet springs and they can thrive in warm, wet summers. We seem to have had both,” Rodiek said.
“Really, the trees that are at risk are the ones that are getting up in age a little bit,” Rodiek said, adding homeowners can have professionals apply a fungicide.
“Other than that, the trees are actually in good condition,” Rodiek said, saying he’s been checking on the trees in the community for the past two weeks.
His concern is for the future and preventing problems before they occur.
“It is something that we are gonna want to watch,” Rodiek said.
He recommended that when new trees are planted, provide them with space.
When you plant a tree that’s less than a foot high, he said, think ahead to how big it will be when fully grown.
“Thirty years down the road, that tree – particularly if you’re planting several of them – they can grow close together and they’ll just feed off each other; particularly if one gets a disease,” Rodiek said.
He also warned mowers and snow removal equipment can damage trees.
“If you start piling up a lot of snow on those lower branches, it can damage them,” Rodiek said.
“Other than that, like I said, I just wanted to report that we’re in pretty good condition,” he said.
Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.
