I very much doubt that the fungus that breaks down dead wood would effect your live, green squash plants. I also don't think the spots on your squash are particularly serious. What's most problematic is that your squash plants are not very vigorous or healthy. They look like they're just barely getting by, which would make them more susceptible to fungus or mildew. Are they in a sunny location?

Thanks so much for your reply! I've been wondering about the sun...I first used this bed in 2008, and had a bunch of squash then. I didn't plant anything there in 2009, so the bed was unused for 2 years. Now I'm wondering if those trees are, in fact, a lot bigger!. I have cut branches back several times, and the squash do get direct sun for a good 6-7 hours a day, but maybe that's not enough.

There's a spot nearby that gets much MORE sun, but I've been afraid to move them. Maybe if I very carefully dug up the entire surrounding dirt, and disturbed them as little as possible?

Or just write it off to experience? I'm still pretty much a veggie newbie.

Thanks again!
Betty

trying out direct links...

my squash from 2008:

[IMG]http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/b2alicia/Squash/IMG_0205.jpg[/IMG]

Even in that picture your squash plant looks pretty small. Not surprising since it seems to be placed in a tight spot. Most squashes, especially the vining ones, like tons of room to roam and spread their vines and roots far and wide. Even bush type summer squashes can be monstrous plants. But when you don't have such a big garden, you do what you can.

3 of them!

{{gwi:107558}}