[CANUFNET] Black knot problems in Edmonton

[Trevor Thistle]

To Whom It May Concern:

For the past few years the City of Edmonton has been experiencing an outbreak of black knot (Apiosporina morbosa). 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 Prunus. 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.

*       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?
*       If your municipality does treat for black knot, what treatments were and were not successful?
*       How serious is black knot mortality in your municipality?
*       Aside from Amur cherry, do you know of any black knot resistant varieties? Have you had success with any of these varieties?
*       How does your municipality dispose of infected material?
*       Has your municipality tried or had any success with the biological control agent, Trichothecium roseum (fungal parasite)?


Thank you for you time,

Trevor Thistle B.Sc. (Forestry)
Urban Forester & ISA Certified Arborist
The City of Edmonton, Asset Management and Public Works
River Valley Forestry and Environmental Services
Email: trevor.thistle at edmonton.ca
Ph: (780) 944-7833
Fax: (780) 496-4978



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