Mycorrhizal fungi and maple trees

[M&M Maple Grove]

Interesting article on mycorrhizal fungi effects on maple and oak trees.

https://www.ohio.edu/news/2020/02/scientists-show-how-soil-changes-may-trigger-rise-maple-tree-population-forests

Very little information was known about mycorrhizal fungi before extensive research started roughly 10 years ago. Since then, there is a completely new understanding of how plants and trees interact with one another. It was always believed that plants and trees compete with each other which is true above the ground. Below, is a complete different story. As a lifelong horticulturist, I always thought of soil to be “alive“ in some capacity. It’s been known for a while that there is a symbiotic relationship between the fungi and the plants/trees sharing nutrients with one another. It recently has been discovered that it goes well beyond that. Plants and trees can exchange nutrients as well as vital information i.e. an oncoming attack from a pathogen. They are also capable of sharing antibodies to help fend off these attacks.

[fisheatingbagel]

Interesting read. I listened to a podcast last year that discussed the same thing. I know oak trees are a valuable food resource and important for biodiversity, but as a sugarmaker and cabinetmaker I'm not a big fan of oak trees :-(

[red dorakeen]

I wonder how much the Garlic Mustard invasive weed plays into this.

"Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) has long been known to degrade mycorrhizal mutualisms in soils it invades and may also promote the abundance of microbial pathogens harmful to native plants or alter saprotrophic communities to disrupt nutrient cycling." from Invasive garlic mustard demonstrates stronger relationships with pathotrophic than mycorrhizal fungi (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.19.423561v1.full)

As much as I like Maple trees I think variety is healthier. With the Ash trees falling to the borer my woodlot is already changing noticeably.

[M&M Maple Grove]

As much as I like Maple trees I think variety is healthier. With the Ash trees falling to the borer my woodlot is already changing noticeably.

My beloved Ash trees… I hired a Forester(highly recommend) to thin out my woods. He suggested pulling them all due to the ash borer. I was sad to see them go being it was my go to wood. Splits easily, good BTU output and low moisture content. I wound up keeping seven cords of full length logs for $360.

I was shocked when he told me that despite his efforts, most sugarbushes he has worked on wanted him to remove every tree with the exception of maples.

As the American chestnut is now making a comeback, so will the ash, just not likely in our lifetimes:(