Studies in Forest Pathology: Xiii. Decay in Sugar Maple in the Ottawa–huron and Algoma Extension Forest Region of Ontario

Abstract

Decay results in appreciable losses in sound wood volume in sugar maple (Acer saccharum, Marsh.) timber in the Ottawa–Huron and Algoma Extension Forest region of Ontario. Seventy-four per cent of 606 sample trees had some measure of decay. Twenty-eight fungi were found to be associated with decay in living trees. The most important of these are Armillaria mellea (Vahl ex Fr.) Quél., Polyporus glomeratus Peck, Ustulina vulgaris Tub, Fomes connatus (Weinm.) Gill., Hydnum septentrionale Fr., Corticium vellereum Ell. & Crag., Pholiota spectabilis Fr., and Fomes igniarius (L. ex. Fr.) Gill. Several species previously unreported in the literature were found to be associated with decay in sugar maple in Ontario. Armillaria mellea is the most serious butt-decay fungus and P. glomeratus is the most important trunk-rotting species. Frost cracks are the most important courts of entry for decay fungi. Various discolorations occur in sugar maple. The average extent of decay in living trees is estimated according to the occurrence of sporophores of F. connatus, F. igniarius, H. septentrionale, and U. vulgaris. The incidence and volume of decay increased progressively with age and diameter. One hundred and nine species of Basidiomycetes are tabulated as occurring on living and dead sugar maple in Ontario.

Schizophyllum commune as a Ubiquitous Plant Parasite

“…In fact, the fungus has been recognized as a wood-rot pathogen for fruit trees 1,4,6,11,19,22,26,29,[32][33][34][42][43][44][56][57][58]60 , ornamental trees 26,49,51 and lumber trees 15,37 . Schizophyllum commune cannot invade living plant tissues without injuries.…”

“…Usually, the infection of S. commune is likely to occur via a physical wound, e.g. 37,49 . Host plant species of S. commune with reference to mode of infection are listed in Table 1.…”

Species Composition and Development of Second-Growth Hardwood Stands in Quebec

“…Yellow birch, basswood, hemlock, spruce and several valuable minor species were replaced by increases in sugar maple and beech on upland, and by sugar maple and balsam fir on lowland sites. Sugar maple, although moderately valuable, is commonly defective in second-growth stands, and beech is undesirable and usually very defective (Jarvis, 1957;Nordin, 1954). Increased sugar maple dominance in lowland sites better suited to yellow birch was particularly unfortunate.…”

An Old-Growth Definition for Western and Mixed Mesophytic Forests

“…Williams (1936) reported that nearly all large beech trees in an Ohio climax forest were hollow, at least at the base, because of various fungal infections. Norden (1954) found that 91 percent of old sugar maples were highly decayed.…”