What do we expect when we invest in a plot of land located in a green area, including a forest? Silence, clean air, towering pines and the smell of pine needles, which can not be compared with anything. Living in a house in such a place will be not only prestigious, but also cozy and comfortable, and future owners do not hesitate to buy it, because they understand all the benefits.But they often face an unexpected problem – the dream forest on the site begins to hurt. Dmytro Radyuk, a specialist at the Green Clinic, knows why to do this and how to prevent it.
Bark beetle and more
“The most common cause of pine disease is the bark beetle. Fruit and ornamental trees are not so often affected by this pest, so it is an unexpected and unpleasant surprise for owners of areas with conifers.
Adverse conditions in which trees find themselves due to climate change and unstable weather conditions contribute to its emergence and spread. Adding to the difficulty is that not everyone recognizes the “handwriting” of bark beetles. This requires special knowledge and experience, “says Dmytro Radyuk.
According to him, last summer was very dry, so the trees, including pine, entered the winter with insufficient moisture. This, plus the negative factors that may be present in the areas (improper watering, the presence of lawn under trees, the construction process, etc.) cause additional stress and provoke the appearance of pests. According to statistics, after such conditions, the activity of pests is much higher because trees are more vulnerable.
In view of this, it is important in areas where this can be done, to support and stimulate rooting by applying fertilizers and pesticides, and to provide maximum protection to allow trees to survive adverse natural conditions without loss.
“Seasonal” jumps “in temperature in recent years have also played a role. Dry and hot summer, and then very cold and frosty winter. Before that, for several winters in a row, the average daily temperature was quite high, the winters were mild. This year’s frosts caused some stress to trees, including conifers. This is another factor that will reduce plant resistance to pests and diseases, – said the expert.
At the same time, he notes that when we talk about the protection of conifers from bark beetles, it is not just about treatment specifically against this pest. According to Dmytro Radyuk, each case is unique, because all sites are in different conditions. Other factors can also play a role: for example, a root sponge can destroy a tree faster than a bark beetle.
First – research, then treatment and protection.
The Green Clinic Private Phytopathology Consulting, a joint international expert project of GreenClinic LifeScience Global OÜ and the Green Clinic Research Center, provides comprehensive maintenance of forest areas, but the most popular service is the treatment of pines already affected by diseases and pests.
“Before starting treatment, we in any case conduct research to determine what factors may have influenced the disease, which could have provoked the inhibition of tree growth. After all, the result of treatment will not be long-lasting and effective if these negative factors are not eliminated or at least minimize their impact in the future.
Working in this field for more than 15 years, we can proudly say that we have saved more than a hundred hectares of forest and more than a thousand trees, “said the expert.
The company operates throughout Ukraine. Most orders come from Kyiv and the region, and the main customers are owners of suburban real estate, including in the woods. At one time, the owners of such houses paid a lot of money for a plot in the woods, so it is fundamentally important for them to preserve trees.
The best time to apply is the design phase.
By the way, most problems with trees arise from the barbaric treatment of them during construction. “A bulldozer comes in, rakes the needles, removes half of the root system… And then the owner says, ‘Why it dried up is unclear.’ Construction in such an area has its own characteristics and requires compliance with certain rules.
Therefore, we provide advice before the start of construction, so that the impact of interfering with wildlife was as destructive as possible. I can say that the most correct and timely moment to turn to landscaping specialists is the beginning of construction. It is quite possible to plan the construction, laying communications so as to minimize damage to the root system. The peculiarity of pine is that the adult tree is very poorly adapted to changing conditions. Even if the soil around it is replaced, it is already stressful – the tree begins to feed worse and becomes more vulnerable to diseases and pests.
Therefore, if the owner intends to preserve trees, the ideal time is to involve plant protection specialists before designing the house, and then take into account their recommendations: where to dig, and where better to bypass the root system, where part of it can be removed, and where it is undesirable. In my practice, there were cases when the house stood literally a meter from the pine. The chances of the pine surviving are small, but the risk that it will fall on the house when it starts to get sick and dry up is quite high, ”says Dmytro Radyuk.
For reference. Green Clinic is a company with many years of experience in diagnostics, rehabilitation, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of plants. The company adheres to the ecosystem approach, which is to take into account the peculiarities of growth, geology, agroecology, microclimate and treats trees with treatment that causes minimal schooling to man and nature and stimulates plant self-renewal.
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