Laurel wilt in a red bay
by
Douglas Hunt
+6
I had an arborist come out yesterday to take a look my trees and when he saw that I had a red bay he immediately recommended that I start innoculating it against laurel wilt, a procedure that will cost nearly $300 and that has to be repeated annually. I don't really want to lose the tree, but that's a very steep price to pay, so I'm wondering what really are the chances of a single tree in a residential setting getting infected.
8 answers
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I don't have an answer for your question. What I would calculate is the value of the tree, and how long you are willing to pay annually to keep that one alive. How mature it your tree ? You will have almost $1,000 in three years time invested in the tree. I love trees, but that is a lot of money to keep it alive, unless you have GREAT sentimental value. And that is an insurance policy against one disease. It doesn't meant it will be protected against other acts of nature, pests or even other diseases. The sun if finally shining here so I am going outside to enjoy it! (Well actually I have a lot of nursery chores that I have been waiting to do !)
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Jan 28, 2012
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Very good points, 4S. I have no sentimental attachment to the tree, but it is large and providing some nice shade under which to stretch a hammock. I was actually so shocked by the prices I got from the first guy that I got a second opinion yesterday, and think I may be able to do a little bit to protect the red bay population without filing for bankruptcy.
Douglas Hunt
on Jan 29, 2012
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injections are also damaging to a tree, i would plant a couple more trees of different varieties to make it less of an impact if /when you loose your red bay tree. the best protection (as i am sure you know) is to keep your tree happy and healthy. also if there aren't any more of these trees nearby, your tree is much safer.
Anna K
on Jan 29, 2012
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I hadn't thought about the damage from injections, Anna. I don't know of any infected trees in my immediate vicinity, but a few miles north in Daytona whole stands have been wiped out.
Douglas Hunt
on Jan 30, 2012
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Douglas...my name is Farley Palmer with Palmer Biological Services, LLC. I've treated 70 trees in New Smyrna (I live Beachside). The treatment is viable for two years based on current research and is the only effective method for protecting Red Bay trees. Feel free to give me a call at 386-314-5718 and I'll provide you with all the details, Farley
Farley P
on Feb 26, 2013
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Welcome to Hometalk, @Farley P. Great to have another New Smyrnan here ( I live beachside as well). I found someone other than the above-mentioned person to treat the tree at a more reasonable price and began treatments last year. So far so good, and fingers crossed.
Douglas Hunt
on Feb 26, 2013
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Great...glad you got it done. Let me know if I can help in any way, Farley
Farley P
on Feb 27, 2013
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I had never heard of a red bay tree . Sounds like the beetle that spread the fungus that kills the trees is a real issue. Rather like the ash bore and dutch el issues we have had up north here. Was funny to come home one day to find a note on my door that the Michigan Forestry Service had been there checking trees and that all of my ash trees were healthy. Funny because I had no ash trees on my property. Several of my neighbors did have and they did die. The borers came over and got into a half dozen trees (all the same kind) that ran along my driveway and within 6 months of the neighbors trees dying I lost all of them.
Sue Kiene
on Apr 30, 2016
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