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10.1 Pests, Diseases and Disorders
Authors: G S Ridley, M A Dick, J BainPublication: , pp 1
Abstract: Forest pests, diseases and disorders cause either suboptimal growth or premature death. At any time, trees are subject to stresses, which can come from a variety of sources and in varying combinations, and these will have an effect on their state of health. Often a stress factor may enhance the effect of others. For example, a minor frost injury, which is harmless by itself, can be aggravated by a pathogen entering the damaged tissue and consequently a limb may die. Trees debilitated by frequent defoliation caused by a leaf pathogen or insect can have their resistance lowered to the stage where the tree is killed by a root fungus that normally would have little, or no, effect.