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Armillaria mellea

Armillaria root rot

Description

The fungus is spread by release of its spores from fruiting bodies in autumn and rhizomorphs which can also penetrate into intact underground roots all year long. The mycelium causes intense, fast-spreading white rot of sapwood. It colonizes mostly roots and tree trunk bases. As the syrrocium can cause sudden death of the cambium, the infected tree dies shortly after infection. If the mycelium enters the sapwood conductive tissues and phloem without intensive syrrocium creation and without any symptoms (incubation period) the disease can remain unnoticed for a long time. The infection is revealed only when the trees begin to turn yellow and dry out, or when the fungus creates pale brown fruiting bodies in honey-yellow shades.

Symptom

White coatings and brown twine-shaped formations under the bark, in autumn the presence of fruiting bodies at the roots, trunks and stems.

Tree Species: Black Locust, Elm, Beech, Oak, Maple, Poplar

Part of a plant- attacked: Tree trunk

Pest significance: Harmful

Pest Category: Fungi

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Seasonal frequency of occurrence

Seasonal frequency of occurrence