Quickly spreading fungus killing Florida redbay trees

laurel wilt courtesy of NC Forest Service

Laurel Wilt, a fungal disease of plants, on a redbay tree in North Carolina. Photo courtesy of North Carolina Forest Service
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Posted: 03/11/2013

By: Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Officials say a tree fungus known as laurel wilt is spreading across parts of central Florida, killing hundreds of redbay trees.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal (http://bit.ly/WDD6Qo ) reports the fungus attacks quickly and kills the trees almost overnight.

The newspaper reports ambrosia beetles drill into redbay trees and the adult females inoculate them with fungi that multiply rapidly. The bugs feed on the rapidly spreading fungus, which block the tree's capillaries. That prevents water from getting into the tree's limbs, branches and leaves. The leaves change from green to brown.

Specialists say the only hope is for trees to be treated early enough with a fungicide that protects the roots and keeps the fungus from taking hold.

Officials say the fungus and beetles first appeared in Duval County in 2005.

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Information from: Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com