Act now on black knot disease

This letter is in support and enforcement of that letter.

Black knot is an insidious fungus that produces spores which can fly from tree to tree on the winds. It produces ugly looking black growths along the branches of the host tree. In time in infects the inner fibrous structure of the branches and travels in the sap throughout the tree — eventually killing it.

Also, those black growths produce pustules, or blisters, which break open in the spring of the year, releasing the spores. These spores are then free to infect other susceptible trees — and the cycle continues.

Many of the infected trees along the streets have been removed and disposed of by burning or burying by the city crews, but some still remain. I have seen some of these along Third Avenue near Sixth Street, on Sixth Avenue near the city hall, one west of the post office and some along Second Avenue East. These can be cut or trimmed by the city because they are on city property, but one very badly infected tree is on private property on a corner lot in Riverview Addition and another in a side yard on Tenth Street.

So, the problem is still with us.

I urge everyone who has a fruit-type tree on their property to inspect the tree now, before the leaves come out and it’s easy to see into the branches, and have any Black knot infected parts removed and properly disposed of. They must be burned or buried.

For advice about removal, call the city street department at 283-4403.

Tom Barthell

Koochiching Men’s Garden Club member

International Falls, MN