I am making steady progress preparing my lot for Citrus and fruit tree planting. Many of the trees that I am removing on my lot are Water Oaks. There were several other trees that were dead or dying that I have cut down too. Most I know what killed them but a few I just don’t know. I have recently learned about Armillaria root rot and was wondering how concerned I need to be? From what I have read it does not like a sandy well drained soil which is what I have. As a precautionary move and to reduce hindrances to layout design, I am this weekend removing the stumps with a backhoe. I also have tentative plans to have the ground disked to expose other roots so that I may remove them too. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I read that two tbls methyl bromide per one hundred square feet is a preventative that is good for three to five years. Has anyone used this? Is this a big problem in Florida?

There's a good chance you don't have the problem, but if you do -- be aware that you can't measure methyl bromide in tablespoons -- it's a pressurized liquid that boils to gas (like propane) as soon as you release it. And it's very toxic, and therefore highly restricted as to who can buy it and how/where it can be used. So that's really out of the question, I think.

If you have Armillaria/Clitocybe, you should be able to find clumps of the old mushrooms, dried out, near some of the old stumps. If there are none, I'd assume the disease is not present.

We used to us Methyl Bromide to sterilize the soil, and ground beds. It works wonderfully, however, it is now outlawed for use, and we can no longer purchase it. I do not know if it is available for purchase to people who have special pesticide licenses or not. Anyway, I believe you will not be able to purchase it. Lastly, if you do not know how to properly apply it, it could be the very last thing you do on this earth. - Millet (797-)

Thanks for the replies,

That's just my luck the one thing that might help is deadly to me! Go figure. I'll check where I know I have a tree in decline nearby. The most common killer we have here is borers. They have almost eliminated the Dogwoods and are now working on the Grancy Greybeards. Usually the Oaks that die show evidence of borer activity but I'm not sure if it is primary or secondary. This area has been unmanaged forest for about twenty years and many of the dying trees are dying from natural selection i.e. a larger more vigorous tree out competed it.