WHO TAKES CARE OF SICK TREES?

A bagworm attached to an eastern red cedar tree.

Drought stress was evident in a black gum tree leaf that turned color sooner than normal.

There are a number of people willing and ready to help people with diseased or insect-infested trees in the Cape Girardeau area.

Help can come from the private or the public sector, but a lot of the problem may be the wrong tree for the wrong soil.

Rocky Hayes, urban forester at the Missouri Department of Conservation office at North County Park, said there are literally thousands of possible diseases and infestations plaguing a tree.

Hayes tries to keep files on everything that affects trees so he can assist in any situation.

"You have to be an expert on everything, because there are so many possible causes," Hayes said.

One of his jobs as urban forester is to investigate the problem and come up with a solution.

"It's a love-hate job. I love the investigation into a tree's problems. The hate part comes when I find the root of the problem and the situation turns out to be hopeless," Hayes said.

By hopeless, he means the tree was in bad soil or the particular disease that was affecting the tree has already passed the point of control.

"A tree is a living system and if it has a lack of good soil or water it will be more prone to problems," Hayes said.

Hayes does a lot of diagnosing over the phone for residents in the 12-county district he covers. A lot of the success depends on the home owner correctly identifying the tree and the symptoms.

Hayes also makes house calls. When the diagnosis is made, he will begin a treatment for the problem.

In some cases a chemical spray is used to treat the problem, but if Hayes can find a way to correct the problem without the use of sprays he will do it.

"A lot of times you kill beneficial insects with sprays which puts populations out of balance. But in some cases spraying is the only answer," Hayes said.

Most problems in trees occur when the trees begin to leaf out in spring through to the fall. But Hayes receives calls in the winter, too.

Hayes said the Department of Conservation has many publications that can assist home owners with tree problems and planting the right tree for the right soil.

A good guide is "Missouri Urban Trees." This guide identifies many different trees that are suitable for growth in Missouri and gives information about what type of soil is needed, how big the tree will get and other useful information.

Planting a tree in the right place will deter disease and infestations because the tree will be healthier and more able to fend off a disease.

A lot of preventative maintenance will keep your trees healthy. In July, make sure your trees are getting an inch of water a week. This will keep the tree from getting stress from drought.

Hayes said he isn't the only person that Southeast Missourians can call upon to help a tree.

"There are a number of private businesses, arborists, entomologists and the University of Missouri Extension are good sources," Hayes said.

"Many private companies have a person with a background in forestry," he added.

When looking for help for a sick tree, nurseries, tree service businesses, arborists, forestry agents and the Department of Agriculture can all be of help.

Many problems with trees this time of year are drought stress and bag worms. Hayes said a potential future threat to Missouri's trees is the gypsy moth.

"We are trying to keep the gypsy moth out of Missouri," he said.

"They are in Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky," he added.

The moth that was transported here from China arrived on the East Coast in the late 18th century. It was to be used in the silk trade, but some moths escaped and they have been defoliating hardwood forests in the East ever since.

The Department of Conservation already has traps in place should the moth enter the state.

Once the population gets in place the only way to control the moth is by aerial spraying.

Another good source for people to go to is Paul Schnare, professor of horticulture at Southeast Missouri State University and owner of Sunny Hill Gardens and Florist.

David Lincoln, manager at Sunny Hill Gardens and Florist, said that they get quite a few calls from people in need of Schnare's services to heal a sick tree or trees.

By no means are Hayes and Schnare the only alternatives in the Cape Girardeau area. One look under the heading tree service or nursery in the yellow pages will produce more than 15 other alternatives.

And business for some of these companies is heavy.