Fungal Strategies of Wood Decay in Trees

by Francis W.M.R. Schwarze, Julia Engels, Claus Mattheck

Wood-destroying fungi play an important role in nature, because they are the only forms of life capable of reducing wood to its initial constituents. However, they can also be dangerous for people and property, as they can impair the stability and fracture-safety of trees. This book gives detailed information, based on new and original scientific findings, on the examination and effects of the most important species of fungi associated with failure of infected urban trees. In addition, new ways are presented for predicting the advance of decay in the living tree. The subject is illustrated and made easily accessible by numerous colored photos of fungus fruit bodies, defect symptoms, and macroscopic and microscopic pictures of wood decay. A detailed introduction to the fundamentals of wood pathology provides a way into the subjects of applied mycology and tree-care for readers without previous special knowledge.

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

My team and I have made highly significant contributions to fundamental understanding of wood decay by fungi and apply the knowledge for the benefit of such important wood science and technology areas such as permeability enhancement of heart-woods and refractory timbers, detection of tree rings, enhancement of the acoustic properties of violins, biocontrol of decay fungi affecting urban tree health and spalted wood production.