More than 150 trees in MGR univ treated against termite attack
Jan 13, 2020, 04.31 AM IST
Chennai: More than 150 trees of various species found on MGR Medical University campus in Guindy received medication on Saturday.
Sudha Seshaiyan, vice-chancellor of the university, said the campus has termite hills. White ants from these mounds enter the tree via its roots and slowly build a mound around the tree and kill the tree. In order to avoid termite attacks, with advice from experts, the trees were coated with sodium (sunnambu) from the bottom to a height of four feet.
Last year in January, two trees were infected by termites. Despite treatment, only one survived.
Landscaping expert B Ilango said normally, lime mixed with water is painted on the trees to avoid termite attacks. Nowadays several lime-based ointments are also available to protect trees from termite attack.
A few decades ago, trees along the highways used to get a similar coat of lime mixture to avoid termites. With the emergence of new medicines and ointments, this practice was stopped, he explained.
Now, one can mix copper oxychloride with lime and apply it on the tree, he said.
With a fresh coat of lime, the trees will survive long on campus and reduce pollution levels and provide shade, said Seshaiyan.
Jan 13, 2020, 04.31 AM IST
Chennai: More than 150 trees of various species found on MGR Medical University campus in Guindy received medication on Saturday.
Sudha Seshaiyan, vice-chancellor of the university, said the campus has termite hills. White ants from these mounds enter the tree via its roots and slowly build a mound around the tree and kill the tree. In order to avoid termite attacks, with advice from experts, the trees were coated with sodium (sunnambu) from the bottom to a height of four feet.
Last year in January, two trees were infected by termites. Despite treatment, only one survived.
Landscaping expert B Ilango said normally, lime mixed with water is painted on the trees to avoid termite attacks. Nowadays several lime-based ointments are also available to protect trees from termite attack.
A few decades ago, trees along the highways used to get a similar coat of lime mixture to avoid termites. With the emergence of new medicines and ointments, this practice was stopped, he explained.
Now, one can mix copper oxychloride with lime and apply it on the tree, he said.
With a fresh coat of lime, the trees will survive long on campus and reduce pollution levels and provide shade, said Seshaiyan.
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