STEM WOUNDS—POTENTIAL ENTRY COURTS FOR WOOD DECAY FUNGI?

Abstract

Summary The aim of the study was to assess the role of superficial stem wounds on trees as potential entry courts for wood decay fungi. Such wounds were investigated in 34 lime trees (Tilia cordata Mill, and T. platyphyllos Scop.) and in 32 horse chestnuts (A. x carnea Hayne and Aesculus hippocastanum L.) in the city of Freiburg i. Brsg., SW Germany, using a PICUS® stress-wave tomograph. Some of the wounds were also inspected with a Resistograph® 1410 micro-drill. The resulting diagnostic information was assessed in relation to attributes of the individual wounds and of the trees. The trees of both genera showed an incidence of colonisation of sapwood injuries by decay fungi that might have seemed surprisingly low in view of the generally large size of the wounds.