Page 46 - MNLGA Free State Summer 2024_WEB

IT'S TIME FOR SHARING (Continued)

We treated 10 trees in each row and marked them with a
tag at each end of the 10 plants.
I inspected the trees in mid-May 2024 – two years after
planting. I didn’t count leaves, measure stem growth
or measure caliper as in a truly scientific experiment. I
have not excavated root systems to look for mycelial
development. I only wanted a visual comparison of
treated and non-treated trees. Untreated Acer rubrum
‘Brandywine’ actually looks fuller and more robust than
the treated trees. I cannot explain this and doubt the
treatment had a negative impact – but maybe. The other
cultivars all looked essentially the same. The manufacturer
states that positive results are to be observed in about
eight weeks. Labelling treated plants
experiment, but we followed the directions.
Several authors state that if you have high quality soils,
the addition of mycorrhizae may be a waste of time It is a well-known fact that forest soils have been
and money. In our situation, we start with good soils growing intertangled masses of mycelial growth for
and amend them with copious amounts of compost. thousands of years. Inoculating mycorrhizae into a new
Therefore, we may not expect to see different visual soil environment appears to be challenging from both
improvement. a manufacturing and implementation perspective.
To learn more about naturally occurring mycorrhizae,
I have watched several YouTube videos of research related
to the use of mycorrhizae both from the United States read Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard. The
and Europe. One U.S. experiment focused on beans and author became world famous for helping the Canadian
grass was presented by a highly regarded soil testing timber industry to successfully replant clear cut tracts.
and research lab. It was a well thought out experiment. Her work demonstrated there is a symbiotic relationship
The researcher wanted to believe the efficacy of his work between different tree species and fungus. Prior to that
but in the end, after 8 weeks, he stated the work was understanding, forestry companies were killing everything
‘inconclusive’. He expected to see the root systems covered in the tract to be replanted. This resulted in the loss of
with mycelium (not mycorrhizae) but could find none. naturally occurring mycorrhizae that could help support
the establishment of the new planting.
A study in Europe showed improved growth in one species
I have talked to landscape contractors who believe
but dead plants in another.
positive results have been seen. But when asked if a
A Canadian researcher who previously worked for a control planting was implemented, they said no. It’s
mycorrhizae manufacturer was extremely vocal in her true, I’m pretty negative about these products which are
criticism of the product’s efficacy. In the research she being produced by reputable national and international
was conducted, the researchers froze the mycorrhizae, companies who claim improved growing systems for all
took it to the field in a refrigerated truck and applied it manner of plants. A
immediately to field crops with no positive result. I can’t
know if this work was real or the efforts of a disgruntled
employee. Her testimony sounded real. Jerry Faulring
Waverly Farm
Later in the summer we were in the propagation season 1931 Greenfield Road
by rooted cuttings. We had some mycorrhizae product Adamstown, MD 21710
left so we treated some cuttings. The manufacturer claims 310-874-8300
great success, but our results were dismal, and we had
to re-stick the treated cuttings. This was not a scientific

46 SUMMER 2024 • Free State News