Infected seedling with HRD fungus fruit body at base. (DNR photo)
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking for the public to check needle-bearing trees for signs of harmful disease and to report those findings to the DNR. Particularly on the department’s radar is heterobasidion root disease (HRD), a severe fungal infection that targets pines, spruces and other conifers in Wisconsin.
HRD is a rotting fungus which decays the wood of the roots, causing trees to develop stringy yellow rot that causes stems to break off. HRD can spread through connected conifer roots. It often shows up in clumps of trees that seem to die off one at a time. The fungus itself is most visible on seedlings, saplings, and tree stumps. The DNR maintains an online map with known locations of HRD outbreaks. Any suspected cases can be reported to local forest health specialists here.
Controlling outbreaks is possible, though difficult, according to the DNR. Spores from the fungus are spread in the air when trees are cut, for example. Fungicides to treat infection are mixed in water, which makes winter application difficult due to freezing.
Forest goers are also encouraged to look out for invasive or parasitic insect infestations of trees as the fall transitions into winter.
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