PLAMONDON - A Plamondon resident has concerns about some diseased trees in the village.
According to Caroline Giammarioli, there are two trees located on a private lot across the back alley from her property that appear to be diseased with what is known as “black knot.”
This disease is destroying the trees on the adjacent lot by causing them to become dark and dried up. One of the trees, according to Giammarioli, is completely dead, while the other is almost completely dead.
She is concerned that trees on surrounding properties, including her own, will also be affected.
“I have a lot of trees in my property, and I really wouldn’t like to lose them,” Giammarioli said.
According to Alex Fuller, Interim Communications Lead in Marketing, Communications, and Engagement for Lac La Biche County, black knot is a common fungal disease in trees.
As stated in information from the Government of Canada, the name “black knot” describes the most obvious sign of the disease - a rough black gall that can encircle the entire branch of a tree.
The owner of the property where the trees are located, according to Giammarioli, passed away last October. From what she understands, Lac La Biche County now has to take responsibility to have the trees removed.
“I would like to see those diseased trees removed,” she said.
The Plamondon resident contacted the municipality to have the issue addressed, but she doesn’t feel the municipality sees it as a priority.
On Aug. 8, Lakeland This Week reached out to Lac La Biche County regarding the issue of diseased trees in Plamondon.
Fuller said he spoke with staff from the municipality and “the County has looked into this, and the matter is being dealt with by the property’s caretaker.”
Giammarioli, who has lived in Plamondon since 1970, stated that she has a vested interest in her community.
“I don’t like to see this happening, because there’s trees all around.”
