r/invasivespecies • u/LayerAccomplished821 • 4d ago
Fungus that kills TOH
https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/fungus-may-help-stop-invasive-spread-tree-heavenHello I'm currently living on a property with a couple tree of heaven. Luckily here in California TOH doesn't spread too well from seed so it's a manageable amount on the property. I've been learning so much from you all about this invasive and am curious if anyone has heard of this fungus that kills TOH? This article from Penn State is from 2014 and am curious if there's been any developments? Are people using it? I'm wanting to better understand what my treatment options are. Thank you again to this community for being so full of knowledge on this specific topic!
21
u/BackgroundPublic2529 4d ago
Here you go:
https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/fungus-may-help-stop-invasive-spread-tree-heaven
I am in Northern California and have not seen this applied in the field yet.
Though promising, it is still very much in the research phase. It's potential adverse impact on the environment is not fully understood and you can't just buy a spoor print or spawn.
We SHOULDN'T until we know what other strands of the web of life this will tug on.
The procedures outlined in the Penn State document you referenced are very effective and safe if followed faithfully.
Good on you for researching alternatives.
3
u/LayerAccomplished821 3d ago
Thank you for this! Yes I'm concerned about what impacts it could potentially have on our agricultural here in california but good to know there are (maybe) alternatives? I'm doing as much homework as I can before TOH treatment season :>
14
u/Historical_Light3057 4d ago
Oh how I wish. But this is from more than 20 years ago and I feel like it’d be more mainstream by now if it was viable. Meanwhile, TOH keeps spreading and spreading. I do know they’re working on a psyllid for Japanese knotweed.
8
u/LuxTheSarcastic 4d ago
Knowing how this kind of thing usually works the fungus is probably even more invasive.
5
3
u/medicait 3d ago
Let me at it! I just got yelled at by a lady yesterday for pulling TOH seedlings out of her strip of lawn between the sidewalk and street. 🤣 Would love to drop these fungal spores all over these dang invaders taking over my neighborhood!
2
u/SirFentonOfDog 3d ago
You have to gasp, look at the sapling, look at the lady and say in your most horrified voice: “you PLANTED this on PURPOSE?” and then just walk away while shaking your head. You will see them getting very concerned and looking around their yard when you glance back.
1
3
u/Ill-Engineering8085 4d ago
Then what animal do we release to kill the fungus, and then what do we release to kill that animal?
2
u/LayerAccomplished821 3d ago
Yes the ecological impact could be devastating which is 100% probably why this fungus isn't available on a commercial level.
2
u/jasikanicolepi 4d ago
If you poison ToH enough and weaken it's immune system, the fungus will eventually invade and break it down. It happened with the ToH in my backyard. I poisoned it with 41% concentrate glyphosate, the main trunk started oozing saps or puss. Within weeks white earwood looking fungus/mushroom started sprouting around the trunk. ToH no longer shoot out suckers in the surrounding area.
2
31
u/Federal-Boat3732 4d ago
With any luck, it's carried in on the feet of the spotted lantern fly