The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1912-05-15
The Chestnut Tree Blight.

The Chestnut tree bark disease has
fully confirmed the unfavorable opinion
regarding its destructiveness created at
the beginning of its appearance in Penn
sylvania, by reason of its gradual but
certain spread over large section of the
Keystone State. There are counties In
southeastern Pennsylvania in which
fully rs per cent OF the native is infected.
Approaching the central and western
counties, the percentage dwindles to a
very small figure, only an occasional tree,
here and there, being found diseased. 1t
is in such sections that the most success
full work towards its control aud ersdics-
ton can be done. 1t is at points where
the infected trees are but very few in
number and far apart that especial effort
should be made to locate and wipe out
the diseased trees. BY destroying where
they stand all infected trees in the terri
tory where the infection is only slight,
the blight can be checked aud its further
spread etfectually halted, if there is no
relaxation of the vigilance of the state
authorities and continued cooperation Of
that at this time the best course to pursue
is to have the field agents of the Pennsyl.
vsnis Chestnut Tree Blight Commission
scout all portions OF the state to locate the
points of infection and report the result
to the owners and urge prompt and vigor-
Gus action wherever the blight may be
found in destroying the diseased trees.
When infected trees are ielled and the
bark burnt and the adjacent timber kept
under close surveillance, according to in
structions, the remaining timber will
probably be saved, since the spores that
spread the disease are thus destroyed.
New York and New Jersey experiences
indicate very iorcibly that indifference or
delay will certainly occasion disastrous
losses.
The field agents now travelling through
the various counties of the commonwealth
in search of the blight have been trained
for the special work, and it will be mu-
tuslly advantageous for all persons in
terested to cooperate in the task of con-
trolling the disease.
The disease is caused by fungs para
site known technically as Diaporthe para
sitics. 1t resembles a spreading ''sore",
or lesion, which soon girdles tree or
branch, causing 1t TO die, Some of the
symptoms are quite prominent, but the
disease itself is best recognized by the
growth OF many reddsh.brown spots or
pustules, about the size ofs pin head, ap-
pearing in the cracks of old bark, small
reddish blisters appear on cankers with
smooth bark, suckers or water sprouts at
the base Of diseased trees, etc., all o.
which are evidences of the chestnut bark
disease. Ifthere are any doubts what
ever regarding its Identification or If the
representatives of the commission cannot
be located without delay, the commission
should be addressed at ll12 Morris Build
ing, Philadelphia, in order that the in
vestigation can be expedited. and the
proper remedial agency applied. This is
the season when the blight will spread
rapidly, ii unchecked, and there is no
class of persons who do not have vital
interest in forestry protection; con-
sequently an awakening TO the serious
ness OF the dilemma is of the greatest
value and will result in much public
good.
The Commission has extended grate-
full acknowledgements to the press for
the invaluable service it has rendered in
calling the attention Of the public to the
chestnut blight, and recognizes that it is
an almost indispensable factor in this
campaign against this new, but terribly
destructive, fungus disease that threatens
to exterminate all of our beautiful and
valuable chestnut trees. 1t is matter of
serious importance, and the public
generally should combine with the state
authorities in combating the disease.
Mr.. E. S. Dell, the local representative
of the commission, who is at present in
this county, will be pleased to furnish
further information and assistowners and
others interested in forestry in every
practicable manner.