<font size=2 face="sans-serif">Quick note,</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Many years ago I attended a meeting
at a large reputable nursery in Ontario, and they indicated
that part of the problem of black knot persistence is the root stock.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">I'm not an expert on growing, this
should be validated elsewhere, but I sensed where the root stock
is not Black Knot resistant and the top graft is, in some cases over time
the root stock dominates leading to the reduction in resistance to the
disease, infection from other sources occurs and the disease continues
to spread.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">As I understand most varieties are grafted,
therefore growing industry quality control is the issue,</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">In Richmond Hill over the last 25 years,
we experienced rapid population growth, and therefore tree plantings to
match. We had experimented with a couple of Cherry varieties
on a few streets. Prunus padus (Developer Consultant suggestion back
in the 1980's, 1 street planted and subsequently replaced with other species),
and Schubert Choke Cherry. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">We follow the appropriate control measures
annually or semi annually but are finding we are slowly
replacing our Cherry trees once they reach a level of disease impact. Criteria,
basically disfigured, or structural issues.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Some residents are already sensitized
by the almost annual Tent caterpillar event and subsequent larvae
with their webs, crawling on the driveways, and cocoon attachments they
make on the exterior of their homes. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Based on the above we are migrating
other flowering species or alternative species over time.</font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Regards,<br>
Peter Wynnyczuk</font>
<br>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Urban Forestry Supervisor</font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Town of Richmond Hill</font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Parks, Recreation and Culture Department</font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Telephone: 905 780-2930</font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Fax: 905 884-0935</font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Internet: pwynnyczuk@richmondhill.ca</font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table width=100%>
<tr valign=top>
<td><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">From:</font>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Jim Donnelly <jdonnelly@cityofgp.com></font>
<tr valign=top>
<td><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">To:</font>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">"Canadian Urban Forest Network"
<canufnet@list.web.net></font>
<tr valign=top>
<td><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">Date:</font>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">02/11/2010 10:11 AM</font>
<tr valign=top>
<td><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">Subject:</font>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Re: [CANUFNET] Black knot problems in
Edmonton</font>
<tr valign=top>
<td><font size=1 color=#5f5f5f face="sans-serif">Sent by:</font>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">canufnet-bounces@list.web.net</font></table>
<br>
<hr noshade>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">We have run a black knot
program the last 10 years when southern Alberta started to have major issues.
</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri"> </font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">1. We
inspect all public cherries in early May (before leaf) and again in August
(for new infections)</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">2. If
a plant is found we perform a concentric survey inspection of both public
and private parcel cherries and hand out information leaflets to home owners</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">3. We
inspect all nursery stock we buy and what the local greenhouses/vendors
buy in May</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">4. When
an infected tree is found we find out where the tree was bought (so far
with the exception of a few Canadian Tire trees most have been from respectable
nurseries)</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">5. Amur
still get black knot here</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">6. We
deal with the diseased wood the same as noxious weed seed heads. Landfill
it and ask for “immediate cover”</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">7. Black
Knot hasn’t been nasty enough here yet to trial any biological controls
and most trees are found before more than a few braches need to be removed
so tree mortality is at 1 or 2 per year.</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri">8. These
measures have kept BK under control so far however the number of cases
has doubled each of the last 3 years so what really has to happen is better
regulation in the nursery trade. Hopefully the Nursery Certification Program
continues to gather momentum.</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri"> </font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri"> </font>
<br><font size=1 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Jim Donnelly</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Integrated Pest Management
Coordinator</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Parks Operations</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#004080 face="Calibri">City of Grande Prairie, AB.</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Tel: 780-513-5226</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Fax: 780-532-7588</font>
<br><font size=1 color=#004080 face="Calibri">Cell: 780-814-3763 </font>
<br><a href=mailto:jdonnelly@cityofgp.com><font size=1 color=blue face="Calibri"><u>jdonnelly@cityofgp.com</u></font></a><font size=1 color=#004080 face="Calibri">
</font>
<br><font size=2 color=#004080 face="Calibri"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Tahoma"><b>From:</b> canufnet-bounces@list.web.net
[</font><a href="mailto:canufnet-bounces@list.web.net"><font size=2 face="Tahoma">mailto:canufnet-bounces@list.web.net</font></a><font size=2 face="Tahoma">]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Trevor Thistle<b><br>
Sent:</b> February 10, 2010 1:42 PM<b><br>
To:</b> 'canufnet@list.web.net'<b><br>
Cc:</b> Kim Bendle; Costigan; Marshall Mithrush; Travis Kennedy; Rogers;
Prutton; Megan; Dan Chouinard; Mark Wartenbe; Bonnie Fermanuik; Norm; Suzana
Bodnar; Doug; John Helder; Bev Minsky; Guy Nighbor<b><br>
Subject:</b> [CANUFNET] Black knot problems in Edmonton</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">To Whom It May Concern:</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">For the past few years the City
of Edmonton has been experiencing an outbreak of black knot (<i>Apiosporina
morbosa</i>). Edmonton’s urban forestry unit, River Valley Forestry and
Environmental Services (RVFES) has been responding by pruning out the visible
fruiting bodies, and by removing trees that are beyond saving. However,
if we continue these practices we will eventually end up removing thousands
of our valuable ornamental trees of the genus <i>Prunus</i>. So, we are
asking other municipalities about their experience with this fungal pathogen
and what steps they have taken to battle black knot. RVFES would greatly
appreciate if you could aid us in our fight against black knot by taking
the time to answer the following questions.</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Symbol">· </font><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">Does
your region have problems with black knot? If so do you have a campaign
or strategy for combating it? If yes, how do you communicate your strategy
to the public, and what do you do to encourage citizens to take care of
black knot on their own trees?</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Symbol">· </font><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">If
your municipality does treat for black knot, what treatments were and were
not successful?</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Symbol">· </font><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">How
serious is black knot mortality in your municipality?</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Symbol">· </font><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">Aside
from Amur cherry, do you know of any black knot resistant varieties? Have
you had success with any of these varieties?</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Symbol">· </font><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">How
does your municipality dispose of infected material?</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Symbol">· </font><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">Has
your municipality tried or had any success with the biological control
agent, <i>Trichothecium roseum</i> (fungal parasite)?</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">Thank you for you time, </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">Trevor Thistle </font><font size=1 face="Times New Roman">B.Sc.
(Forestry)</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">Urban Forester & ISA Certified
Arborist</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">The City of Edmonton, Asset Management
and Public Works</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">River Valley Forestry and Environmental
Services</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">Email: trevor.thistle@edmonton.ca</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">Ph: (780) 944-7833</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman">Fax: (780) 496-4978</font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br>