winter tree blight

A couple years ago this strange-looking disease started showing up on random trees throughout our yard and surrounding wooded areas.

It just so happens to occur at that time of year when the resident and neighborhood teens are coming down with a blight of their own. Winteritis. Cabin Fever. It goes by many names and with the mass-marketing of paintball guns some years ago, this new symptom started to occur. The color of the blight varies depending on the color of bulk paintballs on clearance at your local Wal-Mart or paintball store.

This blight does not discrimate against type of tree, or other vertical object that gets in the way of flying paintballs. The first time it does occur, you will most likely have to sit the questionable teens down and have a little talk about the appropriateness of where said paintballs should/should not land. Heavy rains or blasting hoses will cure any problem spotting, however, the speed at which the paintballs travel will likely cause damage to certain surfaces. For example, a tree (not a sapling mind you) is very sturdy and can withstand the power of a fast-travelling paintball. House siding... no. Clothes line poles... yes. Younger children who want to hang out with and impress delinquent teens... no. Cars... no. Mailboxes... no.

This has been a public-service announcement from one mom of teens to another. If this blight should begin to show up on your trees, I hope I have been helpful with the diagnosis as well as yet another talk about what is/is not appropriate behavior with your own teenager(s). This mainly affects boy teens... I'm sure girl teens have a whole other set of issues and lectures parents must deal with. Some days I think I'm happy (and lucky) to deal with the tree spots!