Results of the Mycological Investigation of the Shoot System of “Irinovsky Oak” Tree (Leningrad Region, Russia)

Abstract

The wild nature monument “184-year-old oak tree in the village of Irinovka” (Leningrad region, Russia), better known in local history literature as “Irinovsky Oak”, was officially opened in 2013. It is represented by a separate pedunculate oak tree (Quercus robur), planted in 1829 and preserved in satisfactory condition at 194 years of age. This paper presents data from a survey of the shoot system of the tree investigated, carried out on August 4, 2022. A total of 12 fungal species were registered (Cladosporium herbarum, Colpoma quercinum, Coryneum depressum, Diatrypella quercina, Erysiphe alphitoides, Hyphoderma setigerum, Laetiporus sulphureus, Marchandiomyces co-rallinus, Peniophora quercina, Trichoderma viride, Sphaerulina quercicola, Vuilleminia comedens). The lichenicolous species Marchandiomyces corallinus was reported as new find to the Leningrad region. It was shown that the shoot system of the tree investigated is associated with a complex of Quercus robur-adapted and co-adapted species, among which such necrotrophs as Sphaerulina quercicola and Coryneum depressum, and pathogenic saprotroph as Vuilleminia comedens, as well as saprotrophs (Diatrypella quercina, Peniophora quercina) are dominated. This species complex ensures a continuous process of the crown self-thinning.