Tree Removal for X-disease and Little Cherry Disease Case Studies Two | WSU Tree Fruit

Written by Cody Molnar, WSU Extension ITT Coordinator for Little Cherry; October 8, 2020.

Removing trees infected with X-disease phytoplasma and Little cherry virus is critical to stop the spread of the pathogens. Here are case studies four to seven in our tree removal case studies series. To see the first three case studies go to https://treefruit.wsu.edu/article/tree-removal-case-studies/. Little herbicide injury to root grafted trees was seen in rootstocks other than Mazzard. Late summer seems to be a good time to treat and remove infected trees.

General recommendations for tree removal include: 1) apply insecticide before tree removal to limit spread; 2) remove infected trees; 3) apply glyphosate via cut stump or frill to identify root grafted trees and kill roots or remove as many roots as possible and test adjoining trees; 4) if more than 20% of the block is infected consider whole block removal. Timely removal of infected trees which are the source of spread is most important.

Case Study 4

In Zillah, a block of Santina on Gisela 12 (approximately 11 in circumference) was used to conduct a case study trial in herbicide application methods. On August 6^th, trees were treated with either a) 20 mL of 100% glyphosate applied directly to the stump (0.06 oz/in; 0.7ml/cm circumference), b) a frill application of 4 mL of 50:50 glyphosate:water applied to 2” deep holes every 3” (0.06 oz/in; 0.7ml/cm circumference), or c) no-herbicide cut stump. Five replicates of each treatment were applied. No adjacent trees showed signs of herbicide injury at two or four weeks post-treatment. At four weeks post-treatment, root death was evaluated for 15 roots per tree on a 1-7 scale where roots rated over 5 were considered dead. Direct application resulted in 31% root death, while the diluted injection treatment resulted in 48% root death. No root injury or death was seen on trees that did not receive herbicide treatments.

Case Study 5

Mike Van Horn removed several infected Rainier on Mazzard trees (approx. 35 in circumference) during the last week of July. Van horn stumped trees, scored the stump with a chain saw then applied approx. 3 oz of 100% glyphosate per tree (0.1 oz/in; 1 ml/cm circumference) (Figure 1). No adjoining trees showed glyphosate injury after two weeks. After four weeks 2 of 9 neighboring trees showed herbicide injury indicating root grafting. One root-grafted tree was over 20 feet away from the treated stump. 80% of roots from stumped trees had root death over 5 on a 1 to 7 scale when evaluated four weeks after herbicide application. Van horn feels being proactive and aggressive in tree removal and leafhopper sprays will help manage the disease and limit the spread to other blocks. To limit the potential for re-infection, he does not plan to replant the block soon.

Three image panel with the first image showing a stump with three parallel cuts bisected by a perpendicular cut; second image shows herbicide being painted onto the cut surface; the third image shows herbicide being poured into the cuts. — Fig. 1. Scoring and herbicide application.

Case Study 6

In early August several 10-15” circumference Rainier on Giesla 6 and Krymsk^® 6 trees were removed due to X-disease infections. The grower stumped trees and applied a concentration of 100% glyphosate at approx. 2 ml per inch of tree diameter (0.07 oz/in; 0.8ml/cm diameter) with a sprayer to the cambium around the edge of the stump (Figure 2). At two and four weeks post-treatment, adjoining trees showed no signs of herbicide injury (Figure 3). The grower has seen herbicide injury in adjoining using the same method in other trees with Mazzard rootstock. Evaluation of 15 roots per tree showed 38% root death (ratings over 5 on a 1 to 7 scale) of treated trees.

image showing a stump where herbicide is being sprayed around the outer edge of the cut surface using a sprayer. — Fig. 2. Application of 100% glyphosate to stump cambium immediately after stumping using a sprayer.

image shows an orchard row with a stump between two trees. — Fig. 3. A treated stump at four weeks post-treatment. No signs of root grafting were present at this site.

Case Study 7

Jim Doornink removed several trees with symptoms of X-disease. In mid-July his team made a notch with a chainsaw for every 3 in of tree diameter (four to twelve per tree) and applied approx. 5 ml of 100% glyphosate per notch (0.06 oz/in; 0.7ml/cm tree diameter) (Figure 4). By early August, herbicide injury to treated trees was evident. If some leaders survived the initial treatment, the process was repeated until the entire tree appeared dead (Figure 5). Doornink actively sprayed for leafhoppers during this process to help reduce pathogen spread. No adjoining trees showed herbicide injury when assessed two and four weeks after application. Examination of 15 roots per tree four weeks after the final herbicide application showed 100% of large roots and 98% small roots where roots were considered dead when rated ≥5 on a 1 to 7 scale.

Multi-image panel where the first image shows the lower tree base with three parallel cuts; second image shows four diagonal cuts opposite each other; the third image shows a tree shows a tree with partial dye-back. — Fig. 4. Cut patterns on a large (34” circumference) Bing/Mazzard with 12 total cuts (left) and smaller (12” circumference) Skeena/Gisela 6 with 4 total cuts (center). Incomplete death on a treated tree approximately 3 weeks post-treatment (right).

A two image panel with the first image showing a treated tree with some branches with green leaves; the second image is a close-up of the trunk with new cuts to correspond to flow going to the surviving branches. — Fig. 5. A tree that had surviving branches (see in Figure 9) was treated again. The close-up is of additional cuts made under surviving branches.

Additional Information

Case studies on tree removal for X-disease phytoplasma and Little cherry virus (Part 1) https://treefruit.wsu.edu/article/tree-removal-case-studies/
BMPs for tree removal for X disease and Little Cherry Virus infected trees https://treefruit.wsu.edu/article/bmps-for-tree-removal-for-x-disease-and-little-cherry-virus-infected-trees/
X-disease phytoplasma (Western X)
https://treefruit.wsu.edu/crop-protection/disease-management/western-x/

Contacts

Cody Molnar, WSU Extension ITT Coordinator for Little Cherry (509) 574-1595 cody.molnar@wsu.edu

Tianna DuPont, WSU Extension (509) 293-8758 tianna.dupont@wsu.edu

Bernardita Sallato, WSU Extension (509) 439-8542 b.sallato@wsu.edu

Ashley Thomson, OSU Extension (541) 296-5494 Ashley.Thompson@oregonstate.edu

Karen Lewis, WSU Extension (509) 760-2263 kmlewis@wsu.edu

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