Root Rot Threatens Virginia’s Christmas Trees

Experts say [Phytophthora Root Rot](http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/pp318/profiles/pc/pc.html “North Carolina State University’s Root Rot Disease Profile Page”), is killing Fraser firs, the most popular Christmas tree species, and leaving the soil unsuitable for the trees for up to __20 years__. At [Virginia Tech](http://www.vt.edu “Virginia Tech’s Home Page”), scientists are hoping a long-term study can figure out how root rot works.

Determing how the rot spreads is the subject of a study by Virginia Tech Scientist [Gary Griffin](http://ipm.ppws.vt.edu/faculty/griffin.html “Gary Griffin’s Virginia Tech Page”). His research has found a “disease center” – __a cluster of diseased trees whose roots intertwine with healthy trees__ and, researchers believe, spread the disease. The rot also can be carried in the soil by animals such as moles.

Phytophthora Root Rot also killed the [American Chestnut](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Chestnut “Wikipedia’s American Chestnut Article”) trees.

[Read](http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=908222 “Read the Story”) (AP via WTOP)