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Phytophthora-diseases of beech and other broadleaved trees - Phytophthora cambivora und Phytophthora plurivoraPhytophthora cactorum as well as other species) | deutsch

Symptoms    Crown thinning, crown degeneration, rarely dieback; on the stem sapflow producing dark spots upon drying,which look like tar; cutting into the bark reveals large areas of dead inner bark tissues (necroses); they commonly extend from the roots or the stem base upwards on the stem (P. cambivora, P.cactorum and the dangerous quarantine speciesP. ramorum and P. kernoviae), whereas P. plurivora (formerly citricola) often produces isolated cankers higher up on the stem. Very common is secondary invasion by bark fungi such as Nectria coccinea, where the dead bark areas show white or later reddish pustules on the surface. Underneath the dead bark the wood is initially not rotten, but secondary invasion by Armillaria is not rare. Possibilities of errors are attacks by beetles (numerous local places with sapflow, underneath small necroses with circular outline extending into the wood, as well as feeding tunnels).
Impact    Phytophthora is an increasing problem for beeches of all ages, especially for old aged trees; there are probable relations to the drought year of 2003 and the preceding rainy year 2002. As a fact, from 2004 on an increasing number of beeches have died off by Phytophthora and secondary agents; it is still not fully known up to which degree of damage recovering is possible .
Control    A serious diagnosis with identification of the Phytophthora-species is essential, since the invasion of the dangerous quarantine species Phytophthora ramorum and P.kernoviae is still a high risk. Therefore, in unclear cases bark samples should be taken and sent to the BFW lab for diagnosis. Measures in case of confirmed Phytophthora infestation are the removal of trees with intense crown-symptoms or, if there is a high risk of breakage (P.plurivora!) or throwing. Preventive and curative methods with compounds raising the vitality are actually subject of intense experiments.
Hosts   Beech;
Affected plant parts    Root; Shoot/Twig/Branch; Stem;


Phytophthora: beech with crown thinning, reduced size of leaves and yellowing
Phytophthora cambivora: intense sapflow on the stem
Phytophthora cambivora: intense sapflow on the stem
Phytophthora: fruiting bodies of Nectria coccinea in bark areas, which have been destroyed by Phytophthora
Phytophthora plurivora: large-scale bark cankers in higher stem-regions
Phytophthora cambivora: dead bark tissues on a main root of a beech

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