Ohia trees are dying rapidly, Why?

[Midnight Rambler]

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Originally posted by Opihikaobob

Thank you Justin, "lose the ability to pump water up" meaning the problem starts at say the root level ,but the visible effects of the tree dying, start at the crown? Or is it that the dying of the crown results in the the loss of the ability to pump up water?

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The fungus grows in the vascular tissue of the wood, which is like a tree's arteries. Wood is like a bundle of tubes filled with water and nutrients, with the roots taking in water from the ground and delivering it to the leaves so that they can produce energy. When the fungus grows in there, it blocks the tubes and the flow of water and food, leading to the leaves drying up first, then the rest of the tree quickly dying as it gets strangled. It's just like if someone pinched off the carotid artery in your neck.