Incidence of wounding and Echinodontium tinctorium infection in advanced white fir regeneration

Abstract

Incidence of wounding and Echinodontiumtinctorium E. & E. infection in advanced white fir (Abiesconcolor (Gord. & Glend.) Lindl. ex Hildebr.) regeneration were determined by a systematic survey of four stands in the Fremont National Forest, Oregon. Half of the 201 trees examined had one or more stem wounds, and 95% were more than 50 years old when sampled. Hymenomycetous fungi were isolated from 10 to 41 (24%) white firs dissected and examined in the laboratory; 9 (22%) had a total of 10 E. tinctorium infections; 6 infections occurred in healthy appearing wood and apparently were dormant; 4 infections were active (causing decay) and were in close proximity to injuries. Infection and decay processes by E. tinctorium in white fir are similar to those in western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) and Pacific silver fir (A. amabilis Dougl. ex Forbes). Serious decay losses may occur in the four sampled stands before they become merchantable.