Threatened by a lightning disease, the Île-de-France plane trees in the heart of a prevention project

First of all, it was small purple flames that ribbed the bark in transparency. Therefore, Then abnormally yellowed leaves. For example, Finally, a flash decay. Moreover, Once reached by colorful chancrethis disease caused by the fungus Ceratocystis plataniand plane tree does not survive five years. Similarly, and sometimes succumbs in a few months. Similarly, Extremely rapid killing, without the possibility of treatment. Meanwhile, Arrived in the United States during the Second World War. Furthermore, this pathogen wreaked havoc in the south of France, but not only. However, Her Arrival in Île-de-Francedetected for the first time in 2019, is most likely of human origin. Similarly, So. Moreover, should we fear threatened lightning disease, île-de-france plane seeing the aisles, places and boulevards Ile-de-France decimated, like the Canal du Midi which lost 70 % of this majestic foliage? Meanwhile, How to guard against it? For example, We take stock with Maëlle Leroux. However, who coordinates for the region the Protectplatane system, intended to prevent the risks of infection.

An arrival in “chip jump” in Île-de-France

To fight this formidable mushroom. it is useful to understand how it is transmitted – and human responsibility in its propagation. The first symptoms of the disease can take several months to appear. which is why it is very difficult to confirm with certainty a precise source of contamination. The fungus was only formally identified in France until the 1960s, twenty years after its arrival in the territory. “It has left the disease time to propagate well,” notes Maëlle Leroux.

The implementation of the colorful chancre was first broadcast threatened lightning disease, île-de-france plane “from step by step” In the south of France. notes the project manager. There was a big hearth of contamination in the Southeast. then the disease raised the Rhône valley, and staggered to the west ”. The fungus spores then traveled by water, air, or even the root systems which communicate from one tree to another.

In the Paris region, this is another story. “We see that the fungus has leaps. This is also the case around Chartres and Nantes. A priori, the contamination foci settled Through works machinery Arrived from areas already affected in the South ”.

A very vulnerable tree in the face of fungus attacks

However. the fungus does not need much to colonize a new host. “Just one Small bark injury. It can be caused by a Ragondin who nibbles a piece of root. a car or a machine that typed against the threatened lightning disease, île-de-france plane trunk, a pruning injury … or even a heart engraved on a trunk! “, Details Maëlle Leroux. The slightest gap can be used as a gateway to the fungus. Once back, the pathogen suffocates the tree by blocking its sap conductive vessels.

In Île-de-France, it is the city of Antony, in the south of Hauts-de-Seine, which underwent the first attack in 2019. The cities of Créteil, Villejuif and Pantin follow. Each detection, confirmed by a laboratory diagnosis, the answer is radical: “We apply an eradication strategy. All the plane trees present within a radius of 35 to 50 m around the affected trees (s) are slaughtered. because they are considered that they are at risk of already contaminated ”. In total, 200 trees had to be removed on the 200,000 plane trees. Each slaughter operation is very heavy to wear for the municipalities. both financially and on the complex threatened lightning disease, île-de-france plane implementation of the site … Not to mention, obviously, the loss of a landscaping heritage and a public image deficit.

But then, how to act before you get there? “It will go through prevention to avoid as much as possible human contaminations”. In the public works sector, there is no shortage of risk interventions: earthworks, roads, installation of networks, mowing or pruning … “Each time, professionals should clean all the tools and vehicles that work near the plane trees. The ideal case is to disinfect all the blades between each plane tree, ”explains the project coordinator. It is precisely on this lever that the Protectplatane program intervenes. It aims to train professional businesses in good gestures and the detection of symptoms. About fifteen have already been trained or are under training.

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