AIE - Book Review - Diagnosis of ill-health in trees

Book Summary

st_book.jpg (16475 bytes) Diagnosis of ill-health in trees

by R.G. Strouts and T.G. Winter

Published in 1994 'Diagnosis of ill-health in trees' is the second handbook produced by the DETR in the series Research for Amenity Trees. It completes a set of three essential books with the other titles being 'Principles of Tree Hazard Assessment and Management' and 'The body language of trees'. As the title suggests the content of this book addresses the subject of diagnosing, preventing and treating tree diseases and disorders.

Section 1 An Introduction. This section introduces the subject of diagnosing ill-health. It includes subjects such as tools & equipment, tree damaging agents, symptoms, diagnosis. Four useful tables are included (1) The causes of ill-health in trees, (2) Information required for a diagnosis, (3) External symptoms (4)Problems of ill-health characteristic of some common amenity trees.
Section 2 A Host-Agent Directory. An alphabetically arranged directory arranged by tree genus listing applicable diseases and disorders for that particular tree genus. Each entry lists diseases & disorders separately for roots, bark, foliage and wood. Additional comments are included where necessary. A page number is linked to each listed disease & disorder so detailed information (section 3) can be accessed.
Section 3 The Descriptions of Pests, Diseases and Disorders. This section consists of 200 pages and and 379 photographs describing and illustrating each disease in detail. Each entry is subdivided into smaller sections titled Damage Type, Symptoms & Diagnosis, Status, Significance, Host Trees, Infection and Development, Control and Remarks.
Section 4 Control of Amenity Tree Pests. This short section discusses ways to control pests and diseases. Subjects include control, curative strategies, prevention and pesticides.
Section 5 Decay & Safety. A short introduction to the subject of detecting and assessing decay in trees.
Section 6 References.
Appendices. Hints for collecting and dispatching specimens for laboratory examination. Sources of Help.

As with the other books in this series, 'Diagnosis of ill-health in trees' is an essential text book for the professional arboriculturist.

Second Edition Now Available (Sept 2000). Additions to the second edition include a major section of the identification of the principal wood-rotting fungi on trees, and items on water logging and exotic pests and diseases.

Diagnosis of ill-health in trees by R.G. Strouts and T.G. Winter. 308 pages. 394 colour photographs. ISBN 0-11-752919-2. Published and available from The Stationary Office.

Link to book summary for Principles of Tree Hazard Assessment and Management
Link to book summary for The body language of trees.