The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) announced in a statement yesterday that it strives to enhance tree management and care to prevent and treat brown root rot disease, a kind of “tree cancer”.
The statement noted that a Chinese banyan tree infected by the disease in Mong Há Hill Municipal Park has been removed due to its roots and trunk having shown signs of “severe decay”. The statement added that tree removal measures need to be taken when trees suffer from severe illness or endanger public safety because there is “no fungicide capable of preventing and treating brown root rot disease”.
The statement pointed out that “removing infected roots, disinfecting the soil and setting up physical separation barriers” are among methods used to stop or slow down the spread of the disease in the infected area.
Being a common tree disease in the city, the statement said, it is most widespread in Guia Hill Municipal Park and Mong Há Hill Municipal Park, while there have also been “sporadic cases” in other parks and among roadside trees, and the bureau has continuously strengthened inspections, being committed to “good tree management and care”.
The disease, the statement said, is caused by the “pathogenic fungus Phellinus noxius”, with the mycelia corroding the wood, causing it to become light, dry, spongy or white and decayed. The fungus can also damage the tissue for carrying water and nutrients, causing the plant to lose absorption and water and nutrient carrying abilities.
Mycelium is the vegetative part of any fungus.
With the gradual decay of the tree trunk’s base and roots, the tree completely loses the ability to support itself, being in danger of collapsing at any moment, according to the statement. It can spread through “close contact with infected roots and infected tissue”, which creates risks for nearby trees and vegetation. The statement added that the trees infected with the disease are divided into two types: those suffering from gradual withering and those suffering from acute withering.
Upon identifying infected trees, the bureau said that a series of treatment measures will be carried out. If treatment proves unsuccessful, the seriously ill trees or those that pose a public hazard will be removed.
The statement underlined that members of the public can contact the IAM Civic Service Hotline 28337676 or “IAM Connect” https://app.iam.gov.mo/iamconnect if they find any tree abnormalities.
These undated handout photos provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) yesterday show trees affected by brown root rot disease, aka “tree cancer”.
