Chrerry Tree Infested w/ Ants or Termites?

[Treelady]

He is correct: not all fungal activity is detrimental to trees. The relationship between trees and fungii is complex. Before insulting the integrity of someone, perhaps you should enhance your own study, then you would be in a position to argue the point with more grace and lucidity. My practical experience (in south east of England) with Cherry trees is they are poor compartmentalisers, and are notorious for rot when wounded. Cannot say anything about ants really, as I know little. Can say though, I live in a house built in 1867, which was left unattended for years ( became quite decrepit), was revamped, then not looked after much, recently two different types of ants became visible, red and black (with wings) both left small mounds of the substance in which they were staying (brick, plaster etc.). It is entirely possible, and probable that there is rotten wood in the house.

[symplastless]

Treelady

As far as my DVD source goes, the ants stall decay or rot in building products as well. The problem, in understanding the process is that the research started with the product and not the trees. The good doctor did his studies starting with the trees. When a wound takes place on the trunk, a barrier zone is formed. The wood to the inside of that barrier zone is chemically altered. It may not be noticable by the naked I but can be detected with a SHIGOMETER. Termites and ants know, we do not know how they know, that the wood is altered. That is the fisrt plave ants and termites will go. Now the termites will eat the wood after they predigest it . The ants do not eat wood they just push it out of their galleries. The galleries control the environment inside the tree or building product. Too wet or too dry will stall the decay pathogen. The galliers stall further rot in trees and building products. It was verbally mentioned many times that if it was not for the ants many trees would not be standing. We have large woodpeckers here and they go after the ants. As far as fungi, bacteria and others, here are some pithy points.

175. Less than 1% of the insects and fungi are harmful to humans. Think about that when you use a product that kills everything. We believe the fungi gain nutrients not only from the tree, but from dead leaves and wood. This is why composted leaves and wood as mulch is so very important for healthy trees.

[Treelady]

Symplastless: cheers. Just for the record, I never use anything that kills everything.

[philipstuckerga]

I just wanted to say thank you for asking the question! Tons of great information was shared. Philip