National threat: Root rot attacking popular Christmas trees

PITTSBURGH — As you head out in the coming days or weeks to pick out the perfect Christmas tree, a deadly mold may reduce your choices.

Mike Reilly, the owner of Reilly’s Summer Seat in Ohio Township, said the phytophthora disease is a big problem for tree growers in Oregon.

“It starts in the roots, of course, and if the roots aren’t growing and they’re not productive, it can’t feed the top of the tree,” Reilly said.

According to Reilly, Oregon harvested more than 7 million Christmas trees in 2007, and sent them all over the country. However, those numbers are dwindling.

“The disease gets in the soil. It’s water-borne, and the wetter the soil is, it can travel more than the dry soil,” Reilly said.

Frasier Firs, like ones shipped in from North Carolina, are most susceptible to the mold. Reilly said the growers he buys from have not been affected by the disease.

“If (your tree) has it, and there might be some disease in it but it hasn’t progressed very long, you could have your tree up and you won’t notice any problems,” Reilly said.

Reilly said different types of trees grow at different rates.

Trees with slower growth patterns, like Frasier Firs and Blue Spruces, are the ones affected by root rot. Those are the types of trees that could be in short supply.

WPXI