34 
EASTERN SHADE TREE CONFERENCE 
For the most part conditions since the hurricane have facilitated tree 
restoration work in Massachusetts. Fall planting to replace irreparable 
losses has resulted in much progress toward rehabilitation although 
much remains to be done in the way of tree repair. The optimism 
with which individuals and groups faced the inescapable responsibility 
of repairing and replacing trees is a most encouraging sign of tree-mind- 
edness on the part of the public. Unrecorded but genuine appreciation 
of pleasant experiences with trees in the past has stimulated current 
interest in a sincere desire for tree welfare in the future. 
WOOD ROTS AS FACTORS BEFORE AND AFTER 
THE HURRICANE 
By Perley Spaulding, Senior Pathologist , U. S. Bureau of Plant Industry 
In coming here to talk to you on this subject, I am supposed to know 
enough about the wood-rotting fungi to pose as an expert on them. I 
hope you will not leave with too keen a feeling of disappointment. 
It may not be amiss to say at once, that in my opinion, the wood rots 
present the greatest future menace to the normal longevity of wind- 
damaged trees. Bark is the protective armor of the tree. Injury expos¬ 
ing the wood within is a serious threat to the tree’s continued vigor and 
longevity. Wood-rotting fungi are present wherever trees grow or wood 
is used. Hence infection of unprotected wounds is about as certain as 
death and taxes. 
Wood can be protected from rot only by impregnating it with sub¬ 
stances poisonous to the fungi causing rot, or by keeping it permanently 
dry so that it contains too little water for fungi to grow, or by keeping it 
completely water soaked so that there is too little air for the fungi to 
live. These axioms are the basis for all tree surgery practice which is 
aimed at the control of rot in living trees. 
There is no doubt that a large percentage of our trees are ordinarily 
affected by rot. The rot may not be extensive enough to threaten the 
life of the trees so far as we can see, but it may be important in a time of 
great stress like the hurricane. Examination of fallen and broken trees 
has revealed many hidden and unsuspected cases of root-rot, butt-rot 
and rot of trunks and larger branches. Where the full force of the wind 
swept against them, comparatively few trees of any species, no matter 
what their condition, escaped serious damage. Where lighter gusts 
struck them rot was a decided factor in weakening them so that they 
