A sycamore tree in James Bay, Vancouver Island, is facing a deadly threat from a new disease called sooty bark disease. This invasive disease, caused by a fungus, has been wreaking havoc on trees throughout Europe. Sadly, the 50-year-old sycamore tree in James Bay will not survive another growing season. Joey Tanney, a research scientist with the Canadian Forest Service, warns that the fungus produces an enormous amount of spores, with a single centimeter of bark containing up to 170 million spores.
The fungus, which can lay dormant for years, tends to attack trees that are already stressed from environmental factors. Sycamore maples were originally brought to the West Coast from Europe for their ornamental value, but now they face this destructive disease. Tanney explains that disease outbreaks often occur after periods of droughts and heatwaves, such as the one experienced by Western Canada in the summer of 2022.
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The Pacific Northwest has already seen signs of sooty bark disease since the heat dome incident. Out of the approximately 250 sycamores in Greater Victoria, 30 have been identified as infected. Researchers are now focused on determining whether the fungus can also infect and harm native maple species, such as big-leaf maple and vine maple.
To find the answer, the Pacific Forestry Centre is conducting a greenhouse experiment, with results expected next year. Meanwhile, the Canadian Forest Service urges people to report any trees showing signs of the disease, such as dark spores resembling soot on the bark and wilting leaves in the spring. Nicolas Feau, another research scientist with the Canadian Forest Service, emphasizes the need for public assistance in identifying infected trees to prevent further spread.
Sooty bark disease poses a significant threat to Vancouver Island’s tree population, and swift action is crucial to mitigate its impact. By raising awareness and encouraging public participation, scientists hope to curb the spread of this destructive fungus and protect the region’s valuable maple trees.
