Letters.

BLACK SPOTS ON MAPLES?

Tree Doctor: I have two maple trees on my property and both have developed big black spots on the leaves. I heard somewhere that this is a disease of some sort. Is it, and if so, is there any way to cure it?

P Shaffer

Via e-mail

I have found a reference to two diseases that fit the symptoms you describe. Both are unsightly "but in consequential," to quote the source, so the trees are not in danger of dying from this problem. The most likely cause is "tar spots." which can vary from small to perhaps an inch across, caused by the pathogen Rhytisma acerimum or Rhytisma punctatum. A second possibility is a small black spot disease called Phyllostica minima. In either case, if aesthetics call for control, they can be treated by spraying with a commercial fungicide containing Mancozeb or Triadimefon. If you do decide to use a fungicide, follow the directions scrupulously.

SEPARATE WILD-GROWN CHAMPS

editor: I appreciate the fine work that goes into preparing the National Register of Big Trees every two years. It occurred to me, though, that it might be time to consider separating wild-grown trees from those that are not. Many of the champion trees appear to be located within communities, parks, or other places where irrigation and maybe artificial fertilization gives them an unfair growth advantage over those in natural settings. In fact, some of the champions appear far removed from the trees' native habitats.

Jon Hoefer

S. Lake Tahoe, California

LOGGING CAN HELP STOP WILDFIRES

editor: The Sierra Club and over 200 scientists have urged the president to cease logging on U.S. National Forests, a position bolstered in recent months by further arguments against salvage logging after wildfires. While salvage logging operations indeed need more scrutiny, I am a scientist who strongly disagrees with the campaign to ban all logging on federal forests.

Those supporting the ban emphasize, justifiably, that the economic value of timber produced from our U.S. National Forests (comprising just 4 percent of U.S. consumption) is dwarfed by the environmental damage inflicted by its extraction. However, they also suggest, unjustifiably, that the loss of this 4 percent resulting from a proposed "zero cut policy" on federal forests will be offset by more intensive cutting on tree farms and recycling, among other things.

Wishful thinking. 1 believe reductions in timber extractions from federal forests will not be offset by recycling and more intensive domestic plantation forestry, but will instead be offset by increased timber imports from other countries, especially those in the tropics.

The assertion that reduced domestic production will be offset by imports is supported by recent history. The northern spotted owl was federally listed in 1990, sparking changes in federal forest management. Since 1990, U.S. production of softwood lumber has declined by about 4 percent while U.S. softwood consumption has increased over 11 percent. To meet this increased demand with less domestic supply, softwood lumber imports have climbed 105 percent.

A zero cut policy will simply displace environmental destruction from national forests to private and international forests. I suggest we organize our discontent into cogent arguments for better domestic forest management coupled with decreases in per capita wood consumption. Rather than lobbying for a ban on logging in federal forests, we should lobby for economic incentives to encourage alternative building materials, proliferate the use of composite wood products and "certified sustainable" wood over conventional lumber, and increase lumber recycling.

Simultaneously, we should pressure the Forest Service to abandon conventional destructive practices and adopt science-driven management plans that preserve ecosystem processes and maintain viable forest animal and plant populations.

Although our national forests provide a small fraction of domestic wood consumption, I believe this is a philosophically important contribution because it demonstrates that our society's well being is partly reliant on well-managed public lands. It contributes to the fundamentally critical, but inadequately appreciated, understanding that we are integrally connected to our land, and our management of it is a reflection of our national character.

Matthew D. Johnson

Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California 

A LOVING MEMORIAL

AMERICAN FORESTS: My dear son Davy died two years ago this coming week. I have delayed closing his bank account--it just hurt too much. Now I am ready. Enclosed is a check for 1,000 wonderful trees to be planted in a burn area in his memory. Davy loved trees. He loved nature. He had been blessed to work the back country of Yosemite for three summers. He would be delighted that his savings could help the land he loved. Thank you for the work you do.

Libby Lindsay

Lompoc, California

INTERESTED IN HOGANS

editor: In the Autumn 2002 issue of American Forests, the article on Navaho housing I found interesting. I also found it interesting about their forestry practices. The Indian people have been conservationists for a long time. Some of their conditions I have seen myself, like living in cheap house trailers. In some ways they have done better than before. The other articles I've read in this issue I also found interesting, including your editorial. Keep up the good work.

Kenny Weaver, Life Member

Edgerton, Oregon