Forest Fungi Research: Fighting a Hidden Enemy

By Carolyn Grey
March 2011

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Internal butt rot of pre-commercially
thinned balsam fir

Hidden beneath seemingly healthy balsam fir stands, forest fungi launch an attack on the trees’ base and roots, causing slow and silent damage. What is this pest that is wreaking such devastating damage — known as root and butt rot — among balsam fir, as well black and white spruce?

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) researchers with the Canadian Forest Service’s (CFS’s) Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (CWFC) in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, are studying the possible causes and effects of root and butt rots in pre-commercially thinned balsam fir stands.


Detecting the Enemy
Part of the challenge in studying these fungi is their ability to go undetected, with no external signs that they are already causing tree damage.

“It used to be a long, tedious process just to isolate and identify these fungi,” says Gary Warren, Forest Pathologist at the CWFC. “Today, new tools using DNA molecular techniques have lead to a much more efficient process that greatly increases the speed and accuracy of fungal identification.”




Root of the Problem

Vials containing Coniophora puteana
(brown rot fungus).

Studies have shown that many factors play significant roles in the presence and severity of root and butt rot, such as tree species, the age of the stand, both at the time of thinning and at present; the intensity of thinning; and site conditions such as soil type, moisture, fertility, location and other factors currently being investigated.

“Our research is trying to identify the various factors responsible for the increase in root and butt rots and how these factors may affect the fungi responsible for the problem,” says Gary. “The aim is to reduce the loss of tree wood volume and to improve fibre quality.”


Yielding Interesting Results

Windthrow caused by butt rot in a balsam fir
spacing trial in north-western N.B.

Sites that are over-stocked with young balsam fir are sometimes thinned to encourage the trees to grow faster with less branches and straighter stems. But scientists have long wondered whether pre-commercial thinning increases the incidence of root and butt rot.

Early results show that, although thinning reduces competition and allows for better initial growth and form in balsam fir trees, the damage from root and butt rot is happening earlier. Accordingly, in order for forest managers to maximize the amount and quality of the fibre, trees may need to be harvested at an earlier age than originally planned.

An important part of this research involves determining current levels of fibre loss and assessing the future impacts of forest fungi. Although many of the major root and butt rot fungi have been identified, there are still many more unknown to forest science.

“With this research, the ultimate goal is to assist forest managers to get the best yield possible from this forest fibre resource,” concludes Gary.



Source

Weird Museums of Canada - P.E.I. Potato Museum

Ok, so apparently there are alot of Potato Museums around the world - Belgium, Denmark, Germany - and of course, the great U.S. of A.  But none can claim to have the world's largest collection of potato artifacts or be home to a Potato Hall of Fame like the Potato Museum in O'Leary, Prince Edward Island.

**Sidenote**
O'Leary (2001 population: 860) is a Canadian village in Prince County, Prince Edward Island.  The community's economy is tied to the potato farming industry.

The Canadian Potato Museum is located in the community of O'Leary in the western part of Canada's smallest province and is surrounded by fertile potato growing fields. The museum depicts an interesting display of the potato industry, and houses a large collection of farm implements and machinery related to the growing and harvesting of potatoes.

In 1999 a major expansion was constructed to accommodate their Potato Hall of Fame, the extraordinary national Amazing Potato Exhibit, and incorporates the Community Museum. The building now covers over 7000 square feet and is air conditioned for your comfort. 

There has even been a recently added giant sculptured potato (made out of fibreglass and standing 14ft. tall), at the entrance to the museum. The complex includes other attractions on site such as the Heritage Chapel, the Log Barn and the Little Red Schoolhouse.

The TOP 10 Most Prescribed Drugs in Canada

Say it isn't so.. Canadians sure love popping their pills and as the population ages, this is only going to increase.  These are the most common prescriptions dispensed at retail pharmacies across Canada:

 Name  (Used For)         

 1. Synthroid                                  Hypothyroidism                                  

 2. Crestor                                     Cholesterol                                            

 3. Lipitor                                      Cholesterol                                            

 4. Apo-Furosemide                      Diuretic                                                
 5. Teva-Amoxicillin                     Penicillin/antibiotic                               
 6. Nexium                                     Reflux/ulcers                                         
 7. Teva-Venlafaxine XR              Antidepressant                                       
 8. Apo-Ramipril                           Antihypertensive                                   
 9. Apo-Hydro                               Diuretic                                                
10. Plavix                                      Blood thinner