Tree diseases of eastern Canada /

The successful control of any tree disease depends on proper diagnosis and understanding of the causal agent. This basic premise becomes increasingly important as our forests come under scrutiny as indicators of broadscale, global changes in climate and environmental quality. The individual authors have produced an excellent compilation of hardwood and conifer diseases prevalent in eastern Canada, although many of the same diseases occur in western Canada and parts of the US. The volume is organized in a classical approach to forest pathology problems by addressing foliar diseases (38), stem and branch diseases (35), and diseases of roots (5). There are also some important tree problems caused by animals and insects (3), as well as 14 problems caused by abiotic (nonliving) agents such as air pollution, temperature extremes, and climatic perturbations. Following a brief introduction to forest pathology and some specific pathogen types, the individual diseases are described in detail. The descriptions include the information necessary to identify the disease and formulate an approach for control, including hosts, distribution, and life histories of the pathogens. The identifying features of signs and symptoms are described, supplemented by excellent color photographs of key characteristics used to distinguish the problem. These photographs range from close-ups of the fruiting bodies to whole-tree symptoms on a population scale. There is no information on microscopic features of the pathogens--which can be useful in identifying the diseases--but there are helpful references for additional information about each. The beautiful illustrations and similarities between the diseases that occur in eastern Canada and those found elsewhere make this book a valuable reference to anyone dealing with tree diseases anywhere. Graduate; faculty; two-year technical program students. D. N. Appel; Texas A&M University