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HEALTH INSPECTION. Above, plant pathologist Dr. Dave Roberts, right, from Michigan State University, inspects a sample from a maple tree with John Trumpour of Mt. Vernon Tree & Landscape. Below, Roberts said damage from lack of nutrients has caused part of the tree in front of the Kezar Library to wilt. He said last week after an initial inspection that he is still unsure what could be causing problems with several of the maple trees in the village. He said last week he would be taking samples of the tree and soil back to his lab to determine the exact cause of the problem.

(Observer photos by Chris Gray)

Unhealthy maple trees in
the village under inspection

Expert says disease,
drought may be causes

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      Maple trees, some perhaps as old if not older than Romeo's buildings, are being investigated for growth issues.
       The trees, such as the one located outside of the Kezar Library on Church Street, have shown signs of unhealthy conditions such as foliage and limbs dying, said plant pathologist Dr. Dave Roberts of Michigan State University.

He came to Romeo on July 24 to investigate the trees after being called by John Trumpour of Mt. Vernon Tree & Landscape. Trumpour and his company have taken care of the trees for the village for 20-plus years, and said he wants the community to be more aware of protecting one of its natural resources.
       "Romeo is all about preservation," he said. "So we just want to make sure everyone is aware of the situation going on."
       Roberts travels all over the state to help communities deal with tree problems, and was the one who discovered the emerald ash borer problem. He said Romeo's maple problem is worse than he has seen in any other community.
       "There is a general term, called ÔMaple decline," which we use to describe what's going on when we don't know what's going on," he said. "We'd like to pinpoint what is happening, and set up different treatments with these trees with different nutrients to see if we can bring them back to health."
       After some initial inspections, Roberts said he is unsure of what could be causing the problems, but has his suspicions. In some cases, he said it could be a disease known as Verticillium wilt, caused by soil-born fungi that systematically spread through the tree.
       Symptoms of the disease typically cause one side of a tree to wilt, with browning leaves and dying branches, and tends to show the most during July and August. Other problems may be compacted soil issues or restrictive roots.
       "It's a city situation where there are a lot of streets and sidewalks, where the pavement restricts growth," he said. "There are nutritional factors too; the tree in front of library has nutritional issues."
       Roberts collected a sample from a maple tree to take back to his lab, and also plans on running soil tests to see if the urban environment has altered its nutrients. Observations will also be set up for each tree to determine what the problem may be.
       "Once we get the city's permission, weÕd like to set the experiments up, and we'd be observing over the next year to three years," Roberts said. "We might get lucky and determine something within a few months or a year, but generally these are more long-term projects."
       One solution for treating the trees may be to inject nutrients, similar to how the village injected chemicals into its ash trees to protect them. Village Clerk Marian McLaughlin, who originally pointed out the condition of the maple trees to Trumpour, said once she receives a report she will submit it to the council for further considerations.
       "It's not an emergency, but it is something we need to attend to," she said. "I'm certain that because theyÕre such an important aspect, the board will pay attention to this."
       Until that time, the trees could use the help of the residents.
       Given the lack of rainfall in the area, Roberts said draught may also be an issue with the tree's health, as older trees require more water than nature is currently giving, so tree owners may need to lend a hand.
       "It's not like watering your lawn, you need the water to penetrate through the lawn, through the thatch, and to the root zone of the tree," he said.
       In order to do so, simply lay a hose at different locations around the tree and leave it on for an extended amount of time. There are also special hoses and tools that can be purchased at stores made for watering trees.
       Roberts realizes this is asking a lot, as water bills are often a concern during the summer, but paying the extra money would be worth it to preserve the trees.
       "Everyone is worried about their water bill, but when you consider the value of a tree for shade, energy conservation - even global warming as they say - and if you look at the big picture, keeping that tree healthy is far more economical and important."
       He hopes the village will budget some money into the experimentation on the maple trees, as they could lead to simple, inexpensive techniques for restoration instead of having to remove them for good.
       "If you removed all the maples and ash in Romeo, you'd have a very stark and barren city, and you don't want that," he said. "We'll hit this from all angles until we come up with some solution."