DISEASE

NAME
Wood Rot
Various Wood Rot Species


Description
This is a general over view of fungal problem that normally attacks weak plants. The fungal mycelium obtains it nutrients from the heartwood or sapwood of the host causing a range of symptoms that reduce the plants vigour..

White fungal mycelium

Symptoms
The wood of the plant may become stained, cracked or rotten, normally occurring at an existing wound such as a broken branch. The bark becomes dry and flaky and eventually dieback of branches occurs. Fruiting bodies called brackets are seen on the infected areas. The net result is a weakening of the plants structure, loss of vigour and eventually death of the plant.

     

Source and Dispersal
The spores are released from the underside of the fleshy fruiting bodies (brackets) and are dispersed by wind.

Favoured Conditions
Trees that are unable to combat the infection due to stress relating from, drought, injury or a lack of vigour. The spores land on dead bark or damaged areas of the plant preferring moist conditions.
     
Affected Plants
A wide range of trees or shrubs are susceptible to attack including evergreen and deciduous species.

Catalpa bignonioidesis susceptible to the wood rot (Polyporus versicolor) which causes hardwood decay in mature trees.

Calocedrus decurrensis susceptible to Heart Rot (Polyporus amarus), causing white lines through sound wood in the early stage then branching into the new wood eventually causing the timber to turn light coloured and brittle. This fungus is very destructive to this species.

Larix speciesare susceptible to several species of Wood Decayincluding (Fomes annosus), (Fomes roseus), (Fomes pini) and (Polyporus schweinitzii). These fungi infect old or neglected trees causing the wood to decay. Control is difficult once the fruiting bodies appear.


     

Fruit trees are susceptible to various wood rot fungi which causes dieback.

Prunusspecies

Non-chemical Control
Heavily effected plants should be removed and destroyed. Tree surgery techniques may control the infestation and repair damaged parts of the tree before infection occurs. Trees may respond to fertilising and watering to improve vigour.
Removal of the fruiting body (bracket) will not control the problem though it may contain it to the one tree.

Chemical Control
There is no suitable chemical control of these fungi.