Fungal Strategies of Wood Decay in Trees

• 1 Introduction.- 2 Fundamental Aspects.- Wood Anatomy.- Mechanical Model for Wood.- Types of Wood Decay.- 3 Examination, Importance and Mechanical Effects of Wood-Decay Fungi in the Living Trees.- Fungus Identification.- Fungus-Host Combinations.- 4 Host-Fungus Interactions: Development and Prognosis of Wood Decay in the Sapwood.- The CODIT Model.- Host Response Mechanisms in the Sapwood.- Different Response Mechanisms in Heartwood and Sapwood.- The Importance of Walls 1-3 from the Mycological Standpoint.- Example of Strong Compartmentalization of Ustulina deusta in a Healthy Beech Tree.- Examples of Weak Compartmentalization of Ustulina deusta in a Weakened Beech Tree.- Ustulina deusta in Lime Trees.- The Behavior of Strong and Weak Compartmentalizers in the Host-Fungus Interaction.- Xylem Rays as the Tree’s Achilles Heel in Host-Fungus Interactions.- Cracks as’ Motorways’ for Fungi.- The Importance of the Barrier Zone (Wall 4).- Postscript.- References.

From the reviews " ... The illustrations are superb, and combine specially-drawn three dimensional interpretative diagrams of wood cellular anatomy with annotated colour micrographs. The science is up to date, with an excellent select bibliography. ... the authors have produced an excellent and innovative book and I would strongly recommend it for individual purchase by all involved in decisions about urban tree preservation, as well as researchers and teachers in mycology and plant pathology." (Mycological Research, UK) "... The book is extremely well illustrated with 63 figures, many with multiple images and in color. ... this book is a nice compact compendium of selected fungi that invade living tres that would most benefit the arborist seeking to learn a bit more about the fungit that attack shade trees." (Mycopathologia 2001, Vol. 154)