Deadly fungus puts SC giant oak trees in danger

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Majestic giant oak trees that have stood in South Carolina for generations are dying off at an alarming rate, thanks to stingy rainfall and a persistent fungus.

The State newspaper reports (http://bit.ly/AfjOBQ ) that foresters and others have been noticing an accelerated death rate of white and red oak trees in recent years.

The main culprit is a fungus called hypoxylon (hi-POX’-lun) canker. While it won’t affect healthy trees, it gets under the bark of trees that have been under stress.

With below average rainfall in 10 of the past 13 years, lots of South Carolina trees are under stress.

Laurie Reid with the state Forestry Commission says the problem is particularly noticeable in the Upstate.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com