Tree Care Industry Association

Arborist Forum
By, Stephen A. Courchaine
I ‘ve been in the tree care business for 33 years and thought that I had heard every request and question that could ever be asked regarding trees -that was until a telephone call I received this past October 15 from a client. My client requested an estimate to physically pull all the leaves infected with Tubakia leaf spot diseaseoff oftworedoaktrees. Hewanted the leaves bagged and disposed offsite. He also requested that all fallen leaves within a 100-foot radius of each tree be raked, bagged and disposed of.
My curiosity was piqued in both his ability to identify Tubakia leaf spot disease (formerly called Actinopelte leaf spot) and
his request to physically pull the leaves off of the trees. I told him that I had never received such a request before. He then proceeded to explain.
Oak leaves with Tubakia leaf spot. He said that he had noticed over the last couple of seasons the leaves turning brown in late summer with what appeared to be small lesions on them. So, he collected some leaf samples and took them to Purdue University where a consumer horticulture specialist examined them. They submitted their findings and identified the leaves as being infected with Tubakia leaf spot. Due to this year’s unusual wet, cool summer in central Indiana, the disease was more pronounced. The Purdue report stated that our client
One of the two oaks infected with Tubakia leaf spot prior to leaf removal.
would probably notice the disease from year to year in varying degrees. They suggested that the trees be fertilized to aid in the recovery of any stress caused by the disease; they also recommended removing and destroying fallen leaves this fall and next spring, if some of the leaves do not drop until then. They stated that this would remove much of the infection source for next season; also included in their report were fact sheets from Purdue and the University of Wisconsin regarding Tubakia leaf spot. Both fliers mentioned that, while the disease may cause some stress, it is more of a cosmetic problem and generally will not be detrimental to the trees.
Once again my curiosity was piqued in
TREE CARE INDUSTRY -DECEMBER 2009 that, given all of the information listed, why he would want to go to the expense of pulling off the infected leaves?
My client explained that the two red oaks had sentimental meaning for him. He had planted the two oaks in memory of his late wife and his late partner. His partner, who was a great friend and mentor, taught him and his wife how to sail years ago. Sailing became a passion for the couple and they spent all of their free time pursuing their new passion. When his wife and the partner both passed away, my client planted the two red oaks in their memory at the Indianapolis Sailing Club at Geist Lake and placed a plaque underneath each tree. He stated that he would do everything
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It took eight hours for the two-man crew to pull and bag all of the leaves and rake all surrounding areas.
within his power to keep the trees as ing that this would leave infectious spores healthy as possible. He didn’t want the embedded in the lawn. leaves falling and being mowed over I met with my client at the job-site to before he was able to pick them up, know-examine the trees. Although they were
young and not much taller than 30-feet, I was at loss as to how much time it would take to pull all of those leaves off of the trees, bag, and dispose of them! After a brief discussion with the client, we decided to do the job Deep-root fertilization is aimed based on an at keeping the tree healthy so hourly rate. it can fight the infection.
It took eight hours for the two-man crew to pull and bag all of the leaves and rake all surrounding areas. We also deep-root fertilized the trees for my client. And, we will be sure to monitor the trees progress closely this coming spring.
Stephen A. Courchaine and his wife, Sheila, own TCIA-member Angel Oak Tree Care, Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana. ~