Disease Stalks Florida's Palms

Scientists search for solutions to citrus greening disease

(NEWSER) - Florida’s orange growers face a powerful adversary in a disease know by its shorthand of HLB that causes citrus trees to “green”—produce only sour, misshapen fruit, Scientific American reports. With every county in the state affected, the citrus industry has dedicated $10 million this year alone to research on how to fight huanglongbing. As a gathering of top researchers in the field got under way today, scientists are racing to create genetically modified trees immune to greening. More»

Sara Barnes charged with setting fire that destroyed 3,500-year-old tree

(NEWSER) - When we last visited the sad tale of "the Senator," arson had been ruled out as the source of the fire that felled the famously ancient cypress tree. Now, a pathetic and unfortunate cause emerges: Sara Barnes, 26, was charged yesterday with setting the fire that burned the 3,500-year-old tree, and the Orlando Sentinel reports that she told police she did so in order to better see the drugs she was about to take. More»

Arson ruled out in felling of Florida's 'The Senator'

(NEWSER) - A historic cypress tree, thought to be one of the oldest in the world, is no more after catching fire and being destroyed early today. "The Senator," or "The Big Tree" as Central Floridians called it, was estimated to be 3,500 years old in 1946. "It's a nightmare," says a Seminole County Fire Rescue spokesperson. A state forestry official initially suspected arson, saying that it appeared that twigs and debris were deliberately ignited at the tree's base. But the department said in a statement this afternoon that it's "ruling out arson at this point." More»

Cold wave inflicts significant damage on citrus crop

(NEWSER) - Florida citrus growers stayed up last night spraying their crop with water, and taking other measures to prevent freezing, as arctic air threatened to inflict significant damage on the orange crop. Losses to the citrus crop may hit 10% as the state sees its worst freeze since 1989. "There'll be reduced juice yield on some of this frozen fruit, no doubt," a rep for the state's main citrus growers group told Reuters . "I would say there was considerable fruit, twig and leaf damage." More»

(NEWSER) - For growers and gardeners of all kinds, Smart Grow mats could be revolutionary. Tucked around the stems of plants, the cheap, natural mats keep weeds and pests away as they spur growth. There’s just one thing holding them back: They’re made from human hair. “No matter what you do,” says CEO Blair Blacker, some people just “won’t get over it.” More»