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yEQETATION <br /> <br /> Tree injury and death have been reported when trees are grown <br />above or adjacent to former landfills (Flower et al., 1979). 'Injury <br />and death have been attributed to the lack of oxygen and the <br />presence of high concentrations of carbon dioxide in the root zone <br />layer. <br /> <br /> The death of red pine trees within approximately 25 to 50 feet <br /> <br />of the landfill property line has been a major problem for the <br />landowners. Tree density in the homeowners' backyards were estimated <br />to be about 400 trees/yard before they were stressed. Tree <br />death which was reported to have started in 1977 by the residents <br />has occured on the west (residences) and north sides (no residences) <br /> <br />of the landfill. '-. ' '~ ~ ~ ~ · ~. <br /> <br /> A site inspection investigating this problem occured on August 27, <br />1980. Participants included Ed Gilman, Ph.D._, a landfill vegetation- <br />specialist from Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ), and Kathy <br />Robbins, Ph.D., a forestry specialist with the US forest service <br />in St. Paul. Representatives of Anoka County Community Health and <br />Social Services Department, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, <br />the Minnesota Department of.Health, and Waste' Management of <br />Minnesota, Inc. were present along with. the-residents and.their <br />attorney, Steve Johnson. <br /> <br />Dr. Robbins and Dr. Gilman discussed the likely cause of tree <br />death, and Dr. Gilman will submit a report detailing his observations. <br /> <br /> Migration of' landfill gas is implicated by the pattern of tree <br />death on both the north and west sides of the landfill. Trees <br />closest to the landfill property have succumbed while those farther <br />out on the north side (more than 50 feet)-appear healthy. Some of <br />the trees are also heavily in~ested by bark beetle. The beetle <br />which bores through the living portion of the tree eventually cuts <br />off the supply of~afer to the tree resulting in death. A drought <br />occured during 1975 and this could have been a contributor to tree-' <br />stress; however, it should be noted that other trees in the area <br /> <br />away from the landfill appear healthy. <br /> <br /> <br />