Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Salt Lake City is addressing diseased sycamore and London plane trees.
- The Urban Forestry Division and Utah State University are testing new treatments.
- Residents are encouraged to rake leaves and water trees regularly to help.
SALT LAKE CITY — Some of Salt Lake City's most beloved trees are actually sick. City officials are trying new methods to help diseased sycamore and London plane trees.
Even in late February, hints of Christmas linger in the Yalecrest neighborhood. But, some city residents and leaders are concerned the neighborhood's trees are losing their spark.
The Yalecrest neighborhood is home to several London plane trees. Salt Lake City Urban Forestry Division Director Tony Gliot said the species are some of the most iconic in the city.
"Our London plane and sycamore trees are weathering an outbreak of anthracnose, which is a fungus that affects the leaves," Gliot said.
Gliot said anthracnose isn't uncommon, but this current outbreak is happening at the same time insects are infesting the trees and causing them to lose their leaves.
"Multiple years of repeated defoliation as a result of anthracnose and some of the other challenges can cause a tree to decline in vigor enough that it eventually dies," Gilot said.
It's not just Salt Lake City. Sycamore and London plane trees across Utah and throughout the Intermountain region are dealing with these issues.
"If we have a particularly damp or wet spring that's also mild, that's good conditions for fungal growth," Gilot said. "But that's also been coupled with hot and dry summers."
Before spring arrives, his department and forestry experts from Utah State University are testing new treatments.
"So that we can understand how effective one type of chemical, or a combination of chemicals, is compared to others compared to a control group of trees that aren't treated at all," Gilot said.
He said there are simple ways to combat the spread of anthracnose.
"Raking up leaves, any branches that fall down, is about all you need to do," Gilot said. "Then keep regular water on the tree."
Gliot said the Urban Forestry Division doesn't water trees in residential areas. The adjacent property owner is responsible. This time of year, Gliot said watering every few weeks makes an impact.
"Our trees offer a wealth of benefits from helping clean our air, to moderating city light and noise," he said. "They also are an important part of our communities."
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