Armillaria mellea and mortality of beech affected by beech bark disease

Abstract

The role of Armillaria mellea in the mortality of beech trees affected by beech bark disease was determined by excavating root systems of beech trees infested by beech scale, Cryptococcus fagisuga, or also infected by the bark fungus, Nectria coccinea var. faginata. Only trees infected by Nectria showed any effect on the root system. They had fewer 4th order nonwoody branch roots and less starch than trees only infested by scale. A. mellea colonized roots only on Nectria-infected trees and was consistently found on roots associated circumferentially with areas of stem bark necrosis caused by Nectria. Complete colonization by A. mellea of the root system of dying trees occurred infrequently. The majority of trees were partially-colonized and colonization occurred after stem necrosis. A. mellea did not accelerate mortality in those stands affected by beech bark disease.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings, I.U.F.R.O. Beech Bark Disease Working Party Conference

Citation

Wargo, Philip M. 1983. Armillaria mellea and mortality of beech affected by beech bark disease. In: Proceedings, I.U.F.R.O. Beech Bark Disease Working Party Conference; 1982 September 26-October 8; Hamden, CT. Sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-37. [Washington, DC]: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 81-88.