Wood destroying fungi.

Abstract

These organisms are of outstanding importance to foresters. Their main natural role is the decomposition of woody tissues, involving the destruction of both cellulose and lignin, and some of the break-down products are eventually incorporated in to the soil in forms available to higher plants. Familiar bracket fungi and some toadstool formers are examples of this group, which includes a number of parasites. In natural and semi-natural forests parasitic activity is restricted since opportunities for infection of standing trees are few and far between. In plantations subject to modern management, by contrast, the scope for parasites is greatly increased, and indeed in some circumstances they constitute a serious threat to timber pro-duction. Brief mention will be made here of four fungi which cause loss, and more detailed attention will be given to one other" Fornes annostts which experience has shown to have the greatest potential for destroying conifer wood.