Latest news with #ColinHughes
CTV News
20-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Rare disease threatens Nova Scotia Christmas trees
Some Nova Scotia Christmas tree growers are concerned about a fungus known as root rot. The dangerous and deadly tree disease Phytophthora, commonly known as root rot, is killing thousands of Nova Scotia Christmas trees. The Christmas tree industry pumps more than $50 million into the Nova Scotia economy each year, as growers have been forced to deal with mild winters, which provide the perfect breeding ground for root rot to spread. 'Last spring, we started seeing some rot, so I got a specialist to look at it,' Christmas tree grower Colin Hughes said. 'We sent some off to get tested and it was confirmed it was root rot.' Hughes said experts have told him the disease came from young infected seedlings brought into the province and are killing most of his Fraser Fir trees, but not the more common Balsam Fir. 'We probably have about 15,000 Fraser Fir trees in the ground right now, and that seems to be where the problem is.' Root rot prevents trees from absorbing water and other nutrients found in the soil. 'We never had to deal with it in our more northern climate, because we always had frost that would go six to eight inches deep, and that would freeze out the spore stage of the disease,' said Matthew Wright from the Canadian Christmas Trees Association. 'This particular disease has a swimming spore stage, so it depends on wet soils to swim to the roots, and it only attacks roots when they are actively growing in the spring or fall,' said Wright. Hughes says it's too soon to know if root rot could spread further and what kind of impact that could have on the Christmas season. He is seeking advice on how to monitor the situation closely. 'All I know is, I have Balsam Firs growing right alongside a dying Fraser Fir, and our Balsams are doing very well,' said Hughes. With December less than five months away, all of Nova Scotia's Christmas trees will need to stay healthy so they can be ready for holiday season.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Root rot attacks some Nova Scotia Christmas trees
Root rot (Phytophthora) is taking aim at some of Nova Scotia's Christmas tree lots. 'Last spring we started seeing some rot and so I got a specialist in to get a look at it and we sent some off to get tested and confirmed it was root rot,' says tree grower, Colin Hughes. So far only Fraser fir trees seem to be affected and not the more common balsam firs. It's believed the root rot came from young trees brought into the province 'I've got balsams growing right alongside a dying Fraser and our balsams are doing very well, so we have got our fingers crossed with our native balsams,' Hughes says. 'This was seed or seedlings that we purchased from nurseries and brought them here.' That's a bit of a blessing for Hughes who bought 15,000 Fraser fir trees in response to demand. He said local producers can't grow enough trees to satisfy the market. Root rot attacks the roots of trees and prevents them from absorbing water and nutrients until they wilt and die. 'We've never had to deal with it in our more northern climates largely because we always had frost that would go 6 to 8 inches deep and that would freeze out the spore stage of the disease,' says Canadian Christmas Tree Association committee member, Matthew Wright. He says climate change is playing a roll in root rot's spread. Warmer winters are providing the right conditions for phytophthora to take hold. 'This particular disease has a swimming spore stage so it depends on a wet soil to actually swim to the roots and it only attacks roots when they're actively growing in the spring or fall,' said Wright. Colin Hughes said all he can do is watch and hope his losses are minimal and his balsams stay healthy. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
West Australian
23-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
Shire of Ravensthorpe endorses aero club's concept for crashed plane tail display
The tail of a Boeing 737 water bomber which crashed while battling a blaze near Hopetoun could soon become the town's latest tourist attraction. The aircraft crashed in Fitzgerald River National Park in February 2023 — but, miraculously, the two crew on board survived unscathed. The incident marked the first loss a 737 aircraft on Australian soil. The aircraft's charred tail was gifted to the Shire of Ravensthorpe which called for community ideas on how to display the relic. The council considered the matter behind closed doors at Tuesday's council meeting and endorsed Mt Short Hopetoun Aero Club as the preferred proposal submission. The club's idea was to reassemble the tail and display it at the Hopetoun aerodrome entrance on Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe Road. The words 'A tail to tell' would be inscribed on the relic — which measures 14 metres wide and 10 metres high — and an information board erected. Club member Colin Hughes said the attraction would stand as a reminder of the 'strength and tenacity' of firefighters who risked their lives to assist the community. 'It's in recognition of the aerial firefighters and those on the ground,' he said. The shire said it would work with the aero club to develop a business case including costings and potential funding. The project will then go back to council for further consideration. Mr Hughes said a lot of work was required to prepare the tail for public display. 'Structurally it's ok but cosmetically it's a little bit shabby,' he said. 'We're very grateful to the shire that they've accepted our proposal.'
