A recent finding of Armillaria root disease on black oak (Quercus velutina) caused by Armillaria solidipes in North Carolina, USA

Abstract

Root disease caused by Armillaria spp. is among the leading causes of mortality and lost productivity in forests around the world (Kim et al. 2022). In the northern and western USA, A. solidipes (previously known as North American A. ostoyae) is considered the most damaging Armillaria root disease pathogen in coniferous forests (Lockman and Kearns 2016). In many regions, climate change is expected to result in an increasing likelihood of damage from Armillaria root disease as trees become more stressed from maladaptation to climate and extreme weather events (Murray and Leslie 2021; Kim et al. 2021). Although A. solidipes has been reported in Massachusetts (Brazee and Wick 2009), it had not been previously identified in the southeastern USA until recently (Kim et al. 2023). The objective of this study was to determine distribution of Armillaria species in a mixed-hardwood/conifer stand of western North Carolina.

Citation

Kroese, Duncan R.; Blaedow, Ryan A.; McKeever, Kathleen M.; Olatinwo, Rabiu O.; Klopfenstein, Ned B.; Kim, Mee-Sook. 2024. A recent finding of Armillaria root disease on black oak (Quercus velutina) caused by Armillaria solidipes in North Carolina, USA. In: Brooks, Rachel K., compiler. Proceedings of the 68th Western International Forest Disease Work Conference; 5-9 June 2023; Rohnert Park, CA. Online: https://www.wifdwc.org. p. 184-189.