Glossary of Tree Terms

Girdling term that describes the process of destroying a plants life giving tissue. It is similar to strangulation.It generally occurs when a smaller lateral root grows over and into a buttress root.

Honeydew is produced by phloem feeding insect such as aphids, scale and whitefly. A carbohydrate, it drips onto the top of leaves below where it becomes a food source for black sooty mold.

The part of a pathogen that can cause disease.

Is a symbiotic naturally occurring fungus which attaches itself to fine feeder roots and grows its own roots,hyphae which mine the soil for minerals and water to bring into the feeder roots.

Microscopic insects that bring angst to farmers, but usually not a problem to trees.

Is a naturally occurring fungus which is activated in warm moist environments. It is a killer of oak trees. It is encouraged to flourish in many landscapes. When lawns and other high water and fertilizer use plants are planted in root zones of these trees the conditions are perfect for oak tree root infection. The process begins and usually lasts many years. Not all trees die from the disease.

Disease organism.

The vascular tissue in plants that transports the carbohydrate produced by photosynthesis to the roots.

Sugars produced by the photosynthesis process. The carbohydrate is moved to different plant parts throughout the tree.