Brown Heartrot
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Hagle, S.K; S. Tunnock; K.E. Gibson; and C.J. Gilligan. 1987. Field Guide to Diseases and Insect Pests of Idaho and Montana Forests. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. State and Private Forestry, Northern Region. Missoula, Montana. Reprint 1990. Publication Number R1-89-54.
Contents |
Hosts
Western larch, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir are the most common hosts. Engelmann spruce, true firs, and western hemlock are also known to be infected.
Distribution
Idaho and Montana west of the Continental Divide.
Damage
Heartrot of the stem. A single conk usually indicates complete cull.
Identification
The decay is common only in a few old-growth stands. Conks are large, as much as two feet long, hoof-shaped or columnar. They are soft, yellow-white when young, soon becoming white and chalky throughout. The decay is brown, cubically cracked, with thick white felts in large cracks. The taste of both conks and felts is bitter and distinct for this species.
Similar damages
Phaeolus schweinitzii also produces a brown cubical decay in these tree species. Mycelium felts, when present, are very thin and resinous. Fomitopsis pinicola also produces a brown cubical decay but the mycelium felts are thinner than those of F. officinalis and lack the bitter taste. F. pinicola decay seldom occurs in live trees.
Comparison of Common Heartrots in Species Other Than Western Redcedar
| Fungus | Hosts | Shape | Upper Surface | Lower Surface | Context | Characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echinodontium tinctorium | 1. GF, WH
2. SAF | Hoof-under branch | Brown; woody | Tan; teeth projecting downward | Orange | Decay yellow orange, stringy |
| Phellinus pini | 1. DF, LPP,WL
2. Other conifers | Hoof or flat
on bark | Dark brown | Cinnamon to tan | Cinnamon | Stringy decay with pro-nounced white pockets, punk knots on tree stem, red-brown dis-
coloration in heartwood. |
| Phaeolus schweinitzii | 1. DF
2. Other conifers | Thick shelf or on ground; non-woody | Brown; velvety | Green-fresh; Brown-old large pored | Brown | Brown cubical decay of heartwood; thin, resinous felts some-
times in shrinkage cracks of decay. Root and butt rot |
| Fomitopsis officionalis | 1. WL,PP
2. Other conifers | Hoof or cylindric large;
chalky consistency | Yellow, white or cream | Yellow or white;pored | Yellow white | Brown cubical decay of heartwood only. Thick, white felts in shrinkage cracks of decay. |
| Fomitopsis pinicola | All dead conifers | Thick shelf or hoof;corky consistency | Brown with red "belt" along margin | Cream;small pored | Cream | Brown cubical decay of both sapwood and heartwood, dead trees and stumps |
References
- Anonymous. 1982. For. Insect & disease identification and management. USDA For. Serv.,Northern Region; Idaho Dept. of Lands, Insect and Disease Control; Montana Dept. of State Lands, Division of Forestry. 192 p.
- Bega, R. V. 1978. Diseases of Pacific Coast conifers. USDA For. Serv. Ag. Hndbk. No. 521, 206 p.
- Boyce, J. S. 1961. Forest Pathology. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, NY. 572 p.
- Hepting, G. E. 1971. Diseases of forest and shade trees of the United States. USDA For. Serv. Ag. Hndbk. No. 386, 658 p.
