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Heterobasidion annosum

Annosum root rot

Description

The fruiting bodies are annual or perennial and grow in summer and autumn on stumps and roots of living or dead trees. This fungus has two main methods of infection: 1. Trees can be infected by spores which are brought into wounds on roots and root swellings by air. The spores are also brought onto tree stumps which the fungus colonizes saprophytically. 2. Through the contact of healthy roots with infected ones, the mycelium overgrows directly from the infected to healthy roots. This fungus is one of the most dangerous pathogens in Europe, with a range of distribution from lowlands to mountain areas. The decaying heartwood is discoloured reddish-brown, decomposes in angular chunks and in later stages develops white mycelium pouches.

Symptom

The fruiting bodies are of irregular shape, laterally attached or resupinate.

Tree Species: Pine, Fir, Spruce

Part of a plant- attacked: Tree trunk

Pest significance: Very harmful

Pest Category: Fungi

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Seasonal frequency of occurrence

Seasonal frequency of occurrence