Laminated Root Rot - Management

Management

In all cases of the disease, thorough study of the distribution and intensity should be determined to help choose a management practice that’s cost effective. For example, if the disease is widespread in a pre-commercial stand, destroying the plantation may be the most effective measure. The area can then be replanted with immune or low-susceptible species. Aerial surveying is a viable tool available for use in areas where there are severely damaged systems. Other management tools include:

• Using up to date models to help predict the spread of the disease can help with management choice
• Susceptible species should not be planted within 100 feet of a disease center
• Remove as many infected roots and stumps as possible to avoid inoculation of healthy plants
• Cut all infected trees within the disease center and all uninfected trees within 50 ft of the disease center
• Stumping is an expensive, yet effective measure in gently sloping, high-quality sites with light soils. After an excavator removes the stump, pieces of the root are torn and fragmented so invading soil organisms deter long-term inocula.
• Push-falling is an alternative to post-harvest stumping. Whole trees are pushed over with machinery to expose diseased roots for removal. Push-falling is effective in areas with slopes less than 30 percent and soil textures that are sandy to sandy loam.
• Applications of chemical fumigation (such as chloropicrin) have been unsuccessful in dealing with Laminated root rot.